Is Xabi Alonso's job on the line at Real Madrid, or have his star players just pulled off a miracle save?
Dive into this gripping drama with us as we explore the chaos surrounding Real Madrid's manager after a nail-biting victory that might just keep him in his seat.
Hello and welcome back to Inside Real Madrid, our trusty weekly companion for tracking the highs and lows of La Liga's 2025-26 campaign. Each installment promises reliable insights, insider scoops, and sharp analysis to cut through the frenzy of Madridista chatter. Think of it as your go-to guide for all things Real Madrid, delivered with the kind of transparency you can count on.
The details in this piece come from multiple chats with sources within the club, who insisted on staying anonymous to keep their connections intact.
So, what's got the Santiago Bernabeu buzzing the most these days?
Xabi Alonso is facing intense scrutiny after a string of disappointing outcomes, making last Sunday's clash against Deportivo Alaves a make-or-break showdown in the eyes of many Madrid insiders. Securing those three points in the return leg has given him a brief reprieve, but the atmosphere remains charged. The squad's underwhelming performance and Alonso's struggle to unlock solutions have left fans and officials alike deeply worried. Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo's strikes delivered a 2-1 triumph, yet 12th-placed Alaves controlled large stretches, particularly after halftime, showing just how precarious things are.
Picture this: Madrid entered the match with only two victories in their last eight outings across all competitions, watching their five-point lead over Barcelona vanish into a four-point shortfall. It's the kind of slump that rattles even the most storied clubs.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sources from the coaching staff and players believe the team can bounce back strong, aiming for three consecutive wins to end the year on a high. On Wednesday, they travel to face Talavera—languishing second from bottom in Spain's regional third tier—in the Copa del Rey, followed by a home La Liga fixture against Sevilla on Saturday. Their next game comes on January 4, hosting Real Betis at home.
What does this mean for Alonso's future?
Sunday night's win has dialed down the immediate heat on Madrid's boss, yet lingering uncertainties about his vision persist across the board, even at the highest levels. A stumble in Wednesday's Copa tie could prove catastrophic, potentially triggering swift action—but as we revealed last week (in this detailed piece from The Athletic: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6881259/2025/12/11/real-madrid-alonso-sack-news-analysis/), the club's stance remains firm: they'd like to stick with him as long as the results hold up. That said, his room for missteps is practically zero.
Imagine if Alaves had snatched the victory or even a draw last night—Alonso's position might look utterly transformed. Instead, when Rodrygo slammed in the equalizer from a Vinicius Junior assist in the 76th minute, Alonso erupted in celebration on the sidelines. It was a moment that spoke volumes.
And this is the part most people miss... In the lead-up to the game, whispers suggested Alvaro Arbeloa, the reserve team's manager and a 42-year-old ex-Madrid and Liverpool star like Alonso, could step in as his replacement if the axe falls.
What else stood out from Sunday's encounter?
Alonso's lineup choices offered a fascinating glimpse. For the first time, he unleashed the famed 'Fantastic Four': Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo—all starting together. Their last joint appearance? That crushing Champions League quarter-final loss to Arsenal on April 16 under former manager Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti had contemplated sidelining Rodrygo in major games since January to promote better offensive harmony, but he never followed through.
On Sunday, Madrid sorely lacked that equilibrium and flair. Their first goal stemmed from Mbappe's signature wizardry—he's now bagged 17 of the team's 34 La Liga goals this season, showcasing why he's a game-changer. Mbappe occupied the left flank initially, positioning Vinicius Jr. centrally, highlighting Alonso's ongoing quest to build rapport with the Brazilian sensation. Vinicius approached the manager to cheer Rodrygo's late winner and embraced him upon his 89th-minute substitution.
Those close to Vinicius noted an uptick in their bond since the November 26 match against Olympiacos, where Alonso has been benching him less frequently and delaying those changes until later in contests. It's a subtle shift that seems to be paying off.
For a bit of context, La Liga is Spain's top-tier football league, where teams like Real Madrid battle for supremacy, and this 'Fantastic Four' refers to their elite attacking quartet—often compared to legendary groups in football history, like Barcelona's MSN (Messi-Suarez-Neymar), emphasizing a blend of pace, skill, and creativity that can dominate games.
Alonso wasn't just dealing with tactical headaches; he confronted a roster shortage. His top four left-back picks—Alvaro Carreras, Fran Garcia, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga—were sidelined by injuries or bans. Center-back Dean Huijsen only mustered a second-half cameo. Other absentees included Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, David Alaba, Eder Militao (all injured), and Endrick (suspended).
This paved the way for 19-year-old academy product Victor Valdepenas to make his senior bow at left-back—a proud milestone for Madrid's youth development arm, which has felt somewhat overlooked this term. They had hoped Alonso would integrate more young talents into the first team.
Additionally, Brahim Diaz, subbing in during the second half, logged his final minutes before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco as hosts. Franco Mastantuono returned to action for the first time since November 1, off the bench, after sitting unused in four straight games post-injury recovery. The Argentine striker's cameo marked a welcome return to the fold.
What should we keep an eye on this week?
Alonso's tenure is still hanging in the balance, so any poor outcome could trigger major alarms.
For the Copa del Rey clash, expect Andriy Lunin to guard the goal, giving Thibaut Courtois a well-deserved break. Madrid's squad depth allows for some rotations at this stage.
Among the absentees from Alaves, Fran Garcia has completed his suspension and is set for Wednesday. Carreras and Endrick can also play in the cup but remain sidelined for Saturday's Sevilla showdown.
So, what do you think? Is Alonso the right man to steer Real Madrid through this turbulent patch, or should the club pivot to someone like Arbeloa sooner? Do you believe the 'Fantastic Four' need more time to gel, or is balance the key missing ingredient? Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with keeping Alonso, or is a change inevitable? Let's debate!
