Real Madrid leads La Liga, yet its dressing room shows signs of unrest under Xabi Alonso. Key players like Vinicius Júnior voice discontent over tactical choices and training methods. The club watches with concern as a crucial match against Manchester City approaches.
A year and a half ago, Carlo Ancelotti described Real Madrid's dressing room, champions of Europe at Wembley in 2024, as "the healthiest" he had ever seen. Relationships between players and the coaching staff flowed perfectly, with Ancelotti acting as a father figure to the group.
However, under Xabi Alonso, who took over after a season of defeats and changes like Toni Kroos's departure and Kylian Mbappé's arrival, the dynamic has shifted. The Basque coach, successful at Bayer Leverkusen where he won the Bundesliga and was Europa League runner-up, inherited an angry squad. Recent results, including draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, and a loss at Anfield to Liverpool, have heightened tensions.
Players criticize Alonso's training methods, his intensity in sessions, and lengthy video reviews. Vinicius Júnior, benched in four matches this season, has shown anger publicly and privately; his relationship with Alonso is merely "professional," unlike the father-son bond with Ancelotti. Dressing room sources indicate this discontent has spread, with Vinicius at the center of the controversy.
Two currents exist in the team: one of self-criticism blaming issues on a lack of attitude since the Wembley final, and another questioning how Alonso's ideas fit the squad. Players like Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham struggle to find their roles in a more positional system, while Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, and Mbappé feel comfortable and perform well. Three of the first four were substitutes against Elche.
At the club, there are quiet criticisms of Alonso's management, though emphasis is placed on it being "the players' moment." Despite concerns, Madrid tops La Liga and ranks in Europe's top-8. The December 12 match against Manchester City looms as a decisive test.