Real Madrid dressing room turns cold as players lose faith in Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid’s first match back in La Liga after the international break delivered anything but the response the fans expected.
Instead of showing authority against Elche, the Spanish giants stumbled to a frustrating 2-2 draw.
The performance left many within the club unsettled, and Xabi Alonso himself appeared baffled as he tried to find solutions on the touchline.
In fact, according to reporting from The Touchline, several senior players have started to lose confidence in Alonso’s methods this season.
Behind the scenes, the squad is said to be concerned about a number of recurring issues.
There is growing confusion around the manager’s in-game adjustments, especially his defensive instructions, which have left the team exposed whenever possession is lost.
Some players also feel that their roles are unclear, while others believe the tactical structure is too rigid and does not utilise the squad’s strengths. As a result, belief in the overall plan has noticeably weakened.
The sense of something not quite right became even more visible in Elche. Alonso surprised many with an unusual starting setup, which saw Fran Garcia positioned in an area normally occupied by Vinicius Jr.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo was pushed out to the right wing, where his influence naturally diminished.
The lack of chemistry, as expected, was evident, and for a club of Real Madrid’s standards, going two games without a victory is enough to ignite urgent internal conversations.
Despite the uncomfortable atmosphere, Alonso tried to remain upbeat when speaking to the media after the match.
He emphasised positive elements where he could, although even he knows that three consecutive disappointing results leave very little room for optimism at a club that measures itself only by excellence.
The team’s biggest problem has been the sudden disappearance of the intensity that once defined them.
Real Madrid no longer presses aggressively in the opposition half, and the attacking fluency has dipped sharply.
As a result, the pressure is now firmly on Alonso. He must respond quickly, or the early murmurs of doubt inside the dressing room may soon turn into louder demands for change.