Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 3rd December 2025, 4:25 AM
Real Madrid’s season has taken an unexpected downturn, plunging the club into a period of uncertainty centred around head coach Xabi Alonso. Despite enjoying a promising start, the team has been held back by a run of draws and a series of internal disagreements that have triggered unease within the club hierarchy.
Recent disclosures indicate that dissatisfaction is beginning to simmer in the Real Madrid dressing room. The Athletic has published claims that some players are uncomfortable with Alonso’s tactical setup, training structures and broader managerial philosophy. Although tensions have not escalated into a major confrontation, the atmosphere is no longer as harmonious as it once appeared.
Their latest setback—the 1–1 draw with Girona—exposed troubling issues in Real Madrid’s performance and mentality. The result marked their third straight league draw. Before Girona, they shared points with Rayo Vallecano and Elche, in matches where they dominated possession but failed to finish clinically. These dropped points have pushed them down to second place behind Barcelona, intensifying scrutiny around the coaching staff.
Travelling for three consecutive away fixtures has undeniably added strain, both physically and mentally. Some insiders attribute the slump to fatigue, while others believe Real Madrid’s biggest challenge lies in internal dynamics. Conversations among players and staff suggest uncertainty about their tactical identity, with some feeling the team lacks structure in critical phases of play.
The concerns are not entirely new. In October, reports emerged suggesting friction between Alonso and several players who questioned aspects of his communication style and footballing beliefs. A meeting was held shortly afterwards, aimed at resolving differences. While marquee players such as Mbappé, Vinícius Jr. and Valverde publicly insisted the squad remained united, credible sources say disagreements still linger.
One club source emphasised to The Athletic: “The problems we’re facing are not down to Alonso.” Another pointed to an intrinsic squad imbalance, saying, “With Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham needing such freedom, creating a balanced team becomes a nightmare.” According to these insiders, the team’s inconsistencies stem from structural issues rather than managerial shortcomings.
Within the coaching staff, there is quiet acknowledgement that moving away from Carlo Ancelotti’s well-defined methods was always going to be complicated. Alonso inherited a squad tailored to Ancelotti’s systems, making the transition far more challenging than anticipated. Real Madrid’s board, however, remains patient. There is no immediate plan to replace Alonso, though upcoming fixtures are seen as crucial tests of both leadership and tactical competence.
The next away match against Athletic Bilbao has been earmarked as a defining moment. A convincing win could shift the narrative, steady the dressing room and lift morale significantly. A poor result, however, may deepen the existing cracks.
Despite the turbulence, Alonso’s achievements cannot be ignored. His remarkable season with Bayer Leverkusen—winning the Bundesliga undefeated—was why Real Madrid sought him out in the first place. His record with Madrid so far remains commendable: 18 wins from 25 matches and only three losses. These figures provide the club with enough confidence to give him more time.
For now, Real Madrid’s season is at a crossroads. Whether Alonso can reshape his tactics, re-establish dressing room confidence and guide the team back into consistent form will define not only his tenure, but also Madrid’s title aspirations for the remainder of the campaign.
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