Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso addressed growing pressure following the team’s 1-1 La Liga draw with Girona last time out, marking the team’s third straight league stalemate. Once sitting comfortably atop LaLiga, Madrid now trail Barcelona by a single point after failing to convert their dominance into victories.
Known for his calm, measured approach, Alonso acknowledged the frustration but insisted his focus remains on the bigger picture. In an interview as revealed by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, he stressed that his players always try to give the maximum, adding that the players also want to perform at a higher level.
Fabrizio Revealed:
Xabi Alonso asked where’s his promised ‘rock and roll’ football: We play football… and these players always try to give the maximum.
The demand is to give a higher level in the next match.
Softfootball highlighted that the fixture against Girona highlighted some persistent problems despite Madrid controlling possession. Azzedine Ounahi opened the scoring just before halftime, exploiting a defensive lapse from Éder Militão, who was returning from injury.
Xabi Alonso, who in an earlier interview had hailed the partnership between Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé, benefited from that combination for Real’s response, which came through a Kylian Mbappé penalty in the 67th minute after Vinícius Júnior was fouled inside the box.
Mbappé, now boasting 28 goals in 23 appearances across club and country, remains in scintillating form. Yet, even his efforts couldn’t secure the win, as an earlier goal was disallowed for handball after a VAR review.
Tactically, Alonso’s system praised earlier for its structure and defensive discipline now faces scrutiny. The double pivot pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde has stabilized midfield, while full-back Álvaro Carreras continues to impress.
Still, Madrid’s struggle to turn possession into goals, particularly against lower-ranked teams, has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Chances were plentiful, but finishing was inconsistent, with Jude Bellingham and Vinícius missing clear opportunities.
Alonso dismissed calls for a more flamboyant “rock and roll” approach, emphasising patience. and insisting that the team is still under construction, he said, reflecting on his 51-day tenure at the start of the season.
We’re building a solid base, and with a crucial clash against Athletic Bilbao coming up, Madrid’s priority is steady progress over flashiness. For Alonso, the evolution of the squad is deliberate, careful, and designed to endure, not just to dazzle in the short term.
