Xabi Alonso is relaxed, but can Real make a comeback?

Last season, Carlo Ancelotti warned Real Madrid’s board that they couldn’t achieve success if the players’ defensive commitment stayed so low.

This was not merely a feeling or intuition from someone experienced, but a conclusion based on data held by the coaching staff. He examined the distances the team covered in each match, the high-intensity sprints, compared to opponents, and the outlook was very grim. He was exhausted from repeatedly asking attacking players, both publicly and privately, to sacrifice more for defense, but it was all futile. Vinicius implied he wasn’t in a condition to run. Mbappe hadn’t even entertained the idea.

Sixteen months after Carletto’s warning, Real has fallen into freefall, victims of no one wanting to sacrifice, poor football, and a toxic internal atmosphere.

Under Xabi Alonso’s guidance, the old issue of lack of effort has been joined by another persistent problem: poor game organization, which Ancelotti also endured, along with added complexity from a strained relationship between Alonso and some stars. The outcome is a disjointed team and a coach whose authority has been seriously damaged due to the club’s lack of support after Vinicius’s public defiance.

Alonso, a serious, meticulous, and somewhat distant Basque, tried to maintain a low profile. Yet, his words eventually exposed the team’s true nature. In the first months, he spoke about a squad under construction, the necessity of commitment, protecting the starting lineup, tactical flexibility, and merit-based selection. This plan has only been minimally implemented so far. Aside from the victory over Barcelona, most of Real’s notable moments have been defeats and controversies.