Xabi Alonso Hails Real Madrid’s Unity After Narrow Win Over Alavés
Vitoria, Spain – Xabi Alonso expressed his pride in the “unity” of his Real Madrid squad following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Alavés in La Liga on Sunday. The victory at Mendizorroza came at a crucial time for the under-pressure coach, as recent results had left Madrid fans and club executives questioning Alonso’s future.
The match saw Kylian Mbappé put Madrid ahead in the first half, with Carlos Vicente equalizing for Alavés after the break. However, a late strike from Rodrygo, assisted by Vinícius Júnior, secured the three points for Madrid, which eased some of the tension surrounding Alonso’s position as head coach.
Pressure Mounts, but Madrid Display Unity
Real Madrid’s victory over Alavés came as a welcome relief following a disappointing run of results that had included three consecutive league draws and a loss to Celta Vigo. The team’s recent form had left Alonso’s future in the balance, with reports indicating that the club’s board had discussed potential alternatives for the coach.
But Alonso’s side responded well in Vitoria, with a strong showing that underscored their resilience and unity. “We’re all together, we’re fighting together in the good moments and not so good moments,” Alonso said in his post-match press conference. “The team fought well. The start was very good, and we were able to go ahead again at the end. Unity is fundamental.”
The win saw Real Madrid close the gap to Barcelona to four points, with the Catalan side currently leading La Liga. Despite recent struggles, Alonso was keen to highlight the positives, particularly the spirit shown by his team.
Alonso and Vinícius Show Solidarity
The relationship between Alonso and Vinícius Júnior has been the subject of scrutiny, especially following the Brazil international’s angry reaction to being substituted in the October Clásico. However, any concerns about disharmony were put to rest after the win over Alavés, when Alonso and Vinícius embraced after the forward was substituted late in the game.
“Unity is crucial, and we saw it today,” Alonso continued. “We have to keep building on what we did right, especially in these difficult moments. The team showed great spirit.”
Madrid’s victory was not without controversy. Alonso was adamant that his team should have been awarded a penalty in the second half for a foul on Vinícius, a decision that was not reviewed by VAR. “It seemed like a clear penalty to me,” Alonso said. “I’m very surprised that the referee didn’t go to the VAR.”
Looking Ahead: Copa del Rey and Sevilla Test
Madrid now faces a packed schedule with two important matches before the Christmas break. On Wednesday, they will travel to Talavera de la Reina for their Copa del Rey tie before hosting Sevilla in La Liga next weekend. Alonso stressed the importance of consistency, despite the growing injury list that saw young defender Víctor Valdepeñas make his debut against Alavés.
“We’re very focused on doing our thing,” Alonso said. “We’re preparing for a game every three days. The lads deserve a lot of credit for the win, especially with so many absentees. There’s a long way to go, but we need to maintain consistency and keep improving.”
Alonso Reflects on Recent Struggles
The pressure on Alonso had intensified following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League and a frustrating loss to Celta Vigo on Dec. 7. In his post-match comments, Alonso admitted that the performance against Celta was far below expectations.
“The game against Celta wasn’t a good game. We lacked a lot of things,” he said. “But today there were a lot of positives and some things to improve. To keep winning games, we need to be consistent.”
Despite the recent struggles, Alonso’s Real Madrid side now have a crucial opportunity to gain momentum and find form in the final weeks of 2025.
