Passing Mastermind to Tactical Maestro – The Xabi Alonso Era Begins

I’ve only seen a handful of posts and podcasts refer to the fact that the players only started to respond and work hard after we went 1-0 and then a further uplift when we lost a player. That’s simply appalling, and it feels like that that is more down to players wanting to play in their way, in their own preferred style, than the manager’s fault.

 

They're a bunch of spoiled brats, an unlikable group at the moment.

 

I don't know if Xabi Alonso will be fired, but he might resign if City decimate us this week. I doubt Perez will stop him if he hands in the letter.

 

Our issues are multifaceted with multiple culprits.

The Mbappe-Vinicius issue is a fact, as is the Bellingham-Guler issue [and we want to add Nico Paz to the mix].

Our solution is put X on the left, Y centrally and Z right, if it doesn't work, switch until it does..but none of that will work save for a sporadic game or two here and there.

At the moment this is not a sporting project, it's the higher up's amalgam of incompatible private collection items and FOMO pieces.

 

Then show a pair and do some changes and punish some players.

Xabi Alonso: “Somehow we were better with 10 than 11, with 11 we worked less than with 10, at least then we started running.”

🚨 Xabi Alonso: “The effort tonight? Disappointing.” pic.twitter.com/X20gEo2nws

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 7, 2025

Xabi Alonso: “The effort tonight? Disappointing.”

🚨 Xabi Alonso: “Somehow we were better with 10 than 11, with 11 we worked less than with 10, at least then we started running.” pic.twitter.com/ssqxgMT0xj

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 7, 2025

 

It's true; the team was playing sublime football during the CWC and early on in the season.

After the Barca game they reverted back to last season's mentality of cruising and hoping for a miracle; which often depended on Mbappe.

 

1 win in 5 league games. Inexcusable. What a meltdown by this team.

 

Yeah the CWC wasn't exactly where Real Madrid showed any true pedigree.

In fact, this team has ceremoniously failed every litmus test since Toni Kroos retired. Benzema and Toni made Vini look way better than he was, and it shows especially now and when Vini plays for Brazil.

 

I aagree 100%....this calls for big changes from Alonso or respons from players. Else this can turn into a real nightmare.

 

I think the City game will be a big turning point. If Florentino is still blind or oblivious, maybe another thrashing will exert more pressure from the socios on Uncle Flo to take some measures. Or if Real Madrid can pull off an upset, it will be a momentary stay on execution on Alonso's job.

 

I follow your point. This season is really in a wierd place right now, and it can go from worse to nightmare or the other way around. I hope there will be some leadership on and of the pitch.
It is like all the pressure and tensions pile up, and everyone looses their head when things do not go our way. Instead of this constant focus from the club on referes (TV, focus on Negreira case etc.) it whould suit the the club to focus on the actual reason why we are here = football.
On the pitch we need one leader who can tell the rest to calm down and not surround the ref. with 10 man shouting etc...we only risk getting more cards and escalate the war further. In these heatet moments the bench including subs, staff and coaches etc. needs to keep calm. We only destroy it for ourselves if all goes into war with the ref. Just focus on football please....

 

Here’s an idea. Get the wankers in training instead of giving them two days off, and train one day before a game.

 

Tbh this has been a theme for us forever.

When Flick took over Barcelona it didn’t take him more than 6 months to build a team like one of the posters mentioned, it took him like 6 days. If the players don’t care it will never work, and if the club protects the players and undermines the manager it will never stop.

 

Still not sacked ,Xabi out now and the players later january/summer

This squad is finished and it was never good to begin with

 

Watch us turn up against City because we like to show effort in certain games but that only lasts it seems like 2 matches

Bilbao was probably our best game this season and then we show up and do this shit. Unreal

 

🚨 BREAKING: Zidane and Jürgen Klopp are the favorites to replace Xabi Alonso.

The match against Manchester City is Alonso's LAST CHANCE.

The relationship between the locker room and the coach cannot be repaired. Real Madrid are already looking for a replacement. @elmundoes pic.twitter.com/cgMG1L61jJ

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 8, 2025

 

If this is really an ultimatum and the players know it, why wouldn’t they just lay another egg and sharpen the ax that will be dropped on Xabi’s neck?

 

Man. How the hell did we fall so quickly after out-playing Barca. So disappointing. Felt as if the players completely let Xabi down. Gotta feel sorry for Xabi. Absolutely loved him and was looking forward to see how he can bring some discipline to the squad.

 

Tbf

Barca were at a low point for them and had key injuries to key players. That win shouldn’t be that big of an accomplishment to us

 

Klopp