On paper, from a purely accounting and statistical point of view, Real Madrid is having a good season. Los Blancos are cruising at the top of La Liga , five points ahead of FC Barcelona, and are also well-positioned in the Champions League, sitting in seventh place. But the feeling left by Xabi Alonso 's team isn't entirely positive. Against Liverpool midweek, in what was only their second defeat of the season, Los Blancos once again worried the Madrid public, who were disappointed by their players' performance.
This trend is already evident even in matches the team wins, and the playing style promised by Xabi Alonso upon his arrival hasn't been fully delivered. At the same time, the local press is also reporting friction in the locker room between some senior players and the former midfielder , whose management style is facing some internal criticism. The Vinicius Jr. situation has also generated considerable discussion.
Alonso, very worried
And the Spanish press is reporting that Xabi Alonso is very worried. Overall, they believe that the coach, cheerful and enthusiastic upon his arrival, now shows a different side of himself. In press conferences, he gives only short, cold answers, clearly showing that he is not at ease. This change in attitude has been clearly highlighted by Cadena SER and journalist Tomas Roncero, for example.
This observation is shared by other media outlets, reflecting a somewhat complicated situation to manage internally. In addition to ego clashes in the dressing room, Alonso also has purely sporting problems, particularly in midfield, where he doesn't really know who to use in big matches to avoid being dominated. The match against Rayo Vallecano this afternoon (4:15 PM) could be an opportunity to test new formations and lineups, but also, and perhaps more importantly, to dispel some of the doubts following the defeat at Anfield
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