There’s too much noise around Xabi Alonso in Madrid right now — and far too little time. According to Spanish press insiders, the coach has been given just three matches to stabilize the situation and prove the project isn’t sinking before it has even started. The first exam has been passed: “Real Madrid” edged “Alaves” away from home (2-1), even though the performance still raises plenty of questions — today, they were simply covered up by character, individual quality, and a couple of decisive moments.
Pressure, Absences, and a Nervy Start
In Vitoria, “Real Madrid” arrived stretched thin: suspensions, an injury chain, and constant forced changes in defense — that kind of package rarely produces a calm, controlled display. On top of that came a worrying moment involving Kylian Mbappé: early on he held his right knee and looked slightly uncomfortable, even limping at times. Yet even in that state, the French star remained the main source of danger.
Mbappé's Goal and Bellingham's Disallowed Strike
“Madrid”’s first truly dangerous move turned into a goal. In the 24th minute, Jude Bellingham switched play with a superb diagonal, Mbappé carried the ball toward the box, drifted inside, and fired into the far corner — the kind of finish that relieves pressure with a single touch. “Real Madrid” went in front, and it mattered not only on the scoreboard but psychologically too: the team finally latched onto a simple, workable model — getting the ball quickly to its stars in the final third.
Almost immediately, “Real Madrid” could have doubled the lead: after Arda Güler’s corner and a knockdown from Antonio Rüdiger, Bellingham bundled the ball into the net. However, referee Víctor García Verdura rightly spotted a handball — the second goal was disallowed, and the match fully slid into a nervous rhythm.
Courtois Did Everything He Could, but “Alaves” Still Equalized
Despite leading, “Madrid” didn’t look like it had real control. In positional attacks, there wasn’t enough tempo or presence in the penalty area, and at the back there were occasional, needless gaps. Until halftime, “Real Madrid” held on thanks to Thibaut Courtois: in one episode, the Belgian made a save almost with his face — the kind of stop that often becomes a turning point in matches like this.
After the break, though, “Alaves” still got what it wanted. Carlos Vicente, shining immediately after coming off the bench, found space right on the offside line, took a great touch, and coolly placed his shot inside the post — 1-1. At that moment, it felt like the game was returning to a familiar script: lots of possession without control, and one opponent strike that flips the picture.
Rodrygo Sealed It and Delivered Alonso the First of Three Wins
The drama was close, but “Real Madrid” managed to squeeze maximum value from its individual class. In the 76th minute, Rodrygo ended an unpleasant run and scored for the second game in a row: Vinícius found him with a pass, and the Brazilian finished neatly. Shortly after, Rodrygo headed to the bench after a knock — it doesn’t look serious.
Late on, “Madrid” appealed for a penalty in one episode inside the “Alaves” box, but VAR saw no reason to intervene. In any case, it didn’t affect the scoreboard: 2-1 — three hugely important points that give Alonso at least a little breathing space.
Alonso's Tactics: Ideas Are There, but the Links Still Aren't Working
The most debatable part isn’t the result, but how “Real Madrid” gets there. Alonso once again used the Bellingham + Güler pairing at the same time, even though it has looked problematic for many matches: Jude is forced to drop deeper to protect zones and clean up after turnovers, which blunts his best quality — late runs into the box and second-wave threat.
On top of that, the central balance is shaky: Aurélien Tchouaméni often ends up completely alone in the holding role, and the team loses the option of a consistent presence inside the penalty area. Mbappé also doesn’t like being pinned between center-backs — he prefers to attack from deeper positions and on the move, which means “Real Madrid” desperately needs a structure where someone can occupy the box while others stretch the defensive line.
As a result, “Madrid” is more dangerous in transition phases and on quick attacks. It’s no coincidence that both goals came from dynamic moments when they caught the opponent while reorganizing, rather than breaking down a low block through sustained possession.
Two More Steps: There’s Almost No Margin for Error
The win over “Alaves” isn’t a “reset” — it’s more like a postponement. Next up is a Copa match against “Talavera” and a league game versus “Sevilla”, where any slip will immediately reignite the crisis talk. Yes, the record against “Alaves” is pleasant, but the bigger question now is this: can Alonso restore balance over the next fixtures, add a clear plan for positional pressure, and bring back confidence without relying on constant goalkeeper heroics or isolated flashes of individual brilliance?
What Comes Next: Results and Performance Both Matter
Alonso “survived” the first round, but this win comes with footnotes. “Real Madrid” took the three points and showed character; Mbappé once again confirmed he’s the decisive figure, and Rodrygo picked the perfect moment to make his mark with a goal. Still, from a footballing standpoint, the coach has plenty left to prove: not just winning, but doing it in a way that makes “Madrid” look like a team with a clear system again — not a collection of stars who occasionally drag a match over the line on pure talent.
