Xabi Alonso under fire as Real Madrid leaders face rising tension

November 26, 2025 Oliver Obel

The turning point came at Elche, where Madrid’s 2–2 draw prompted another public flare-up. As ESPN highlighted, the promoted side forced Madrid into two comebacks and were minutes away from a statement win before Jude Bellingham’s disputed equaliser.

The foul by Vinícius Júnior on Iñaki Peña reignited debate over the team’s composure.

Combined with recent setbacks against Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano, the result reinforced concerns that Madrid’s performances have dipped. Barcelona’s narrow gap behind them has only sharpened attention on inefficiencies that might otherwise be overlooked.

Alonso has maintained that the team is still forming its identity and pointed to their resolve at Elche. Privately, though, club sources say there is an awareness that the football has lacked clarity in recent weeks.

A narrative that keeps repeating

A striking element of the current mood is the alignment across Spanish media. On Cadena SER, COPE and in the pages of Diario AS, commentators have echoed a similar idea: that Alonso has not fully established a connection with his squad or communicated the tactical ideas he wants to implement.

Tomás Roncero of AS captured the sentiment in a television appearance, saying he was “at a four” on the concern scale but warning that repeated displays like the one at Elche could push that number dramatically higher.

Marca, for its part, has emphasised Madrid’s “loss of control” and questioned whether the players fully grasp the system. The uniformity is unusual — and often, in Madrid, uniformity points to well-placed voices guiding the conversation.

The Vinícius dimension

Nothing complicates matters like the situation around Vinícius Júnior. His angry reaction to being taken off in the clásico — capped by the shout of “This is why I’m leaving the club” resurfaced simmering questions about his relationship with the coaching staff.

Not long after, Diario AS ran a front-page reminder of how central the forward is to Madrid’s long-term project, interpreted by many as a message aimed not just at fans but at Alonso himself.

So when Vinícius started on the bench at Elche and didn’t appear until the 57th minute, the decision drew instant scrutiny. Alonso also rotated Federico Valverde and shifted to a back-three setup, choices that made sense tactically but rarely escape political interpretation in Madrid.

Where the pressure originates

The consistency of the “disconnect” storyline suggests more than coincidence. Agents, club insiders and senior figures the groups that traditionally influence Madrid’s media narrative appear to be contributing to the tone.

Several reporters have remarked that comments once whispered privately have now reached public platforms.

Adding to the stress is the legacy of Madrid’s poorly reviewed preseasons over the past two years, which some believe left the squad physically uneven.

Expectations around Alonso have also ballooned because of his remarkable work at Bayer Leverkusen, making any stumbles feel disproportionately heavier.

Former teammates interviewed for an upcoming documentary describe him as adaptable, detail-oriented and rarely stubborn about tactical plans. Yet he has never courted the Madrid press or built a loyal media circle, a disadvantage in a club where perception can shift quickly.

A familiar pattern in Madrid

Under club president Florentino Pérez, Madrid have cycled through managers rapidly — several exiting within a year. It would still be premature to suggest Alonso is in that kind of danger, but the tone around him has undeniably changed.

Madrid’s visit to Greece gives him an opportunity to reset the rhythm. A convincing performance won’t silence every question, but it might calm the atmosphere long enough to let the football speak again — something Madrid desperately need at this stage of the season.

Sources: ESPN, Diario AS, Marca, Cadena SER, COPE.