Aurélien Tchouaméni has stepped forward to defend manager Xabi Alonso at a time when Real Madrid are under heavy scrutiny. SoftFootball has already reported in detail on the team’s recent slump, including Celta Vigo’s first win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in nineteen years.
Against that backdrop, Tchouaméni spoke with a calm but firm tone, insisting the players, not the manager, must answer for recent results. The midfielder made his position clear in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, saying the squad has a collective duty to fight for the coach and for each other.
Fabrizio Romano posted:
Tchouaméni on Xabi Alonso: We’re all in this together. If we want to win, we all have to fight.
With the coach, with the team. We’re on the pitch and we have to do things better. Tomorrow we have a good opportunity to turn things around.
Alonso has been criticised for the poor run, but Tchouaméni pushed back on the narrative that tactics were the problem. He stressed that the group must show more hunger and commitment if they want to turn things around.
When discussing the loss to Celta Vigo, Tchouaméni did not hide behind excuses. He admitted openly that the team lacked intensity and said that this responsibility sits squarely with the players.
He said:
The manager had a good plan. But we players are the ones on the pitch. If we lost 0-2, it’s because we had a problem, like a lack of intensity. It’s not the manager’s fault
His comments reflect a deliberate effort from senior figures in the dressing room to protect Alonso and keep the squad united during a tense period.
The timing of these remarks is important because Real Madrid now face Manchester City in a decisive Champions League match. SoftFootball has already outlined how City plan to target Madrid’s defensive weaknesses, especially with key injuries affecting the back line.
Madrid have only a handful of natural defenders available, making the task even tougher. Still, Tchouaméni said the team has enough quality and depth to compete if they defend together and show courage.
The pressure on Alonso is significant, though he recently reminded fans that Madrid remain alive in their La Liga title race, as SoftFootball reported. For now, the message from the players is unity. Tchouaméni believes the team has a real chance to respond, starting with the test against Manchester City.
