Alonso Navigating a Precarious Tightrope at Real Madrid Even With Squad Endorsement.

No attacker in Los Blancos' record books had gone failing to find the net for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but at last he was released and he had a message to deliver, executed for the cameras. The Brazilian, who had been goalless in nine months and was beginning only his fifth game this campaign, beat custodian Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the opening goal against the English champions. Then he spun and sprinted towards the bench to embrace Xabi Alonso, the coach in the spotlight for whom this could signal an profound release.

“It’s a tough period for him, similar to how it is for us,” Rodrygo stated. “Things aren’t coming off and I sought to show the public that we are as one with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo spoke, the lead had been taken from them, another loss following. City had reversed the score, going 2-1 ahead with “not much”, Alonso noted. That can transpire when you’re in a “fragile” situation, he continued, but at least Madrid had responded. Ultimately, they could not complete a recovery. Endrick, brought on having played 11 minutes all season, rattled the crossbar in the closing stages.

A Delayed Sentence

“It wasn’t enough,” Rodrygo conceded. The question was whether it would be adequate for Alonso to hold onto his position. “We didn't view it as [this was a trial of the coach],” veteran keeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was felt privately. “Our performance proved that we’re behind the coach: we have played well, given 100%,” Courtois concluded. And so the final decision was reserved, sentencing suspended, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A More Credible Form of Setback

Madrid had been overcome at home for the second match in four days, perpetuating their recent run to just two victories in eight, but this felt a more respectable. This was a European powerhouse, rather than a lesser opponent. Simplified, they had competed with intensity, the simplest and most critical charge not directed at them in this instance. With eight men out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, almost salvaging something at the final whistle. There were “numerous of very good things” about this performance, the boss stated, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, tonight.

The Stadium's Ambivalent Reception

That was not entirely the case. There were spells in the latter period, as frustration grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had voiced its disapproval. At the final whistle, a section of supporters had repeated that, although there was likewise pockets of appreciation. But mostly, there was a quiet procession to the exits. “We understand that, we understand it,” Rodrygo commented. Alonso added: “This is nothing that hasn’t happened before. And there were times when they clapped too.”

Dressing Room Backing Stands Strong

“I sense the backing of the players,” Alonso affirmed. And if he supported them, they backed him too, at least towards the cameras. There has been a rapprochement, talks: the coach had listened to them, perhaps more than they had accommodated him, reaching a point not quite in the compromise.

Whether durable a solution that is is still an unresolved issue. One small incident in the post-match press conference appeared notable. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s suggestion to follow his own path, Alonso had let that notion to linger, responding: “I share a good rapport with Pep, we understand each other well and he is aware of what he is talking about.”

A Basis of Resistance

Above all though, he could be satisfied that there was a spirit, a pushback. Madrid’s players had not given up during the game and after it they publicly backed him. Some of this may have been performative, done out of duty or self-interest, but in this climate, it was important. The intensity with which they played had been as well – even if there is a risk of the most fundamental of standards somehow being elevated as a form of achievement.

In the build-up, Aurélien Tchouaméni had argued the coach had a vision, that their failings were not his doing. “In my view my teammate Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said after full-time. “The sole solution is [for] the players to change the mindset. The attitude is the crucial element and today we have witnessed a difference.”

Jude Bellingham, asked if they were behind the coach, also responded with a figure: “100%.”

“We’re still trying to solve it in the locker room,” he continued. “We understand that the [outside] speculation will not be helpful so it is about attempting to fix it in there.”

“In my opinion the gaffer has been superb. I personally have a great connection with him,” Bellingham added. “After the spell of games where we tied a few, we had some honest conversations behind the scenes.”

“Everything ends in the end,” Alonso concluded, maybe talking as much about poor form as everything.