Steady Start for Alonso
November’s international break offers Real Madrid a much-needed breather. Since the start of the season, Madrid under Xabi Alonso has delivered solid results. Despite a heavy 2-5 loss to Atlético Madrid, Los Blancos have secured 13 wins in their first 14 matches across all competitions. The new manager has quickly settled in, proving his tactical strength. However, back-to-back poor results — a 0-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool and a league draw with Rayo Vallecano — mark a “mini slump” for the Spanish giants.
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Defensive Stability and Rising Stars
Compared to last season, Real Madrid’s defense has shown remarkable improvement. In the first 16 games, Madrid conceded only 12 goals (0.75 per match), while last season’s average was 1.24. The team has kept eight clean sheets — a 50% rate compared to last year’s 34%.
Individually, several players have flourished under Alonso. Kylian Mbappe has been on fire, scoring 18 goals in 16 matches, while youngster Arda Güler has provided six assists for him. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has also regained his top form.
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Derby Glory then Sudden Dip
Alonso’s first El Clásico brought a 2-1 victory over Barcelona — a major turning point after four consecutive defeats against their rivals. The triumph boosted Madrid’s title hopes and strengthened Alonso’s position. However, a 4-0 win over Valencia was followed by a draw and a loss, showing signs of inconsistency.
According to AS, one key metric explains this dip: Madrid’s pressing efficiency. Before facing Liverpool, they averaged 32 recoveries in the opponent’s half per game, but only 19 at Anfield and 28 against Rayo — both below average. The front press, once a strength, has recently faltered.
Substitution Magic Missing
During his Leverkusen days, Alonso was known for making game-changing substitutions. Yet at Real Madrid, his bench players haven’t made much impact. So far, only Vinicius Jr. has scored after coming on as a substitute. That creative spark from the bench seems to be fading — something the coach must rediscover soon.
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Dressing Room Tension
Alonso also faces challenges in player management. Vinicius’s angry reaction after being subbed off in El Clásico raised eyebrows, though the issue was later resolved. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s lack of minutes has confused fans and players alike — especially with Dani Carvajal injured and Fede Valverde forced to cover at right-back.
Reports suggest not everyone in the dressing room agrees with Alonso’s choices. Still, Real Madrid remains competitive, and a strong rebound could silence critics.
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