Xabi Alonso Treading a Precarious Path at Real Madrid Despite Squad Backing.

No offensive player in Real Madrid’s history had gone scoreless for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but finally he was freed and he had a declaration to send, performed for public consumption. The Brazilian, who had failed to score in almost a year and was starting only his fifth match this campaign, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the opening goal against the English champions. Then he turned and sprinted towards the touchline to embrace Xabi Alonso, the boss on the edge for whom this could represent an profound liberation.

“It’s a challenging moment for him, similar to how it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Things aren't working out and I aimed to show people that we are as one with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo addressed the media, the lead had been taken from them, another loss ensuing. City had come back, going 2-1 ahead with “minimal”, Alonso noted. That can transpire when you’re in a “sensitive” situation, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had reacted. Ultimately, they could not complete a turnaround. Endrick, introduced off the bench having played 11 minutes all season, rattled the woodwork in the dying moments.

A Delayed Sentence

“The effort fell short,” Rodrygo said. The issue was whether it would be sufficient for Alonso to retain his job. “We didn’t feel that [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insisted, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was felt privately. “We demonstrated that we’re supporting the coach: we have given a good account, provided 100%,” Courtois added. And so the axe was withheld, consequences delayed, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla on the horizon.

A Different Type of Loss

Madrid had been defeated at home for the second occasion in four days, perpetuating their recent run to just two victories in eight, but this was a more respectable. This was Manchester City, rather than a lesser opponent. Streamlined, they had competed with intensity, the simplest and most harsh criticism not levelled at them in this instance. With multiple players out injured, they had lost only to a scrambled finish and a converted penalty, nearly securing something at the death. There were “numerous of very good things” about this performance, the head coach stated, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, on this occasion.

The Stadium's Mixed Reaction

That was not completely the complete picture. There were spells in the latter period, as irritation grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had jeered. At the final whistle, some of supporters had done so again, although there was likewise sporadic clapping. But for the most part, there was a subdued procession to the exits. “That’s normal, we understand it,” Rodrygo commented. Alonso added: “There's nothing that is unprecedented before. And there were moments when they applauded too.”

Dressing Room Support Is Firm

“I have the backing of the players,” Alonso affirmed. And if he supported them, they stood by him too, at least towards the cameras. There has been a unification, talks: the coach had considered them, perhaps more than they had embraced him, meeting a point not quite in the center.

How lasting a fix that is continues to be an matter of debate. One seemingly minor moment in the post-match press conference appeared significant. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s advice to stick to his principles, Alonso had allowed that idea to hang there, responding: “I have a good connection with Pep, we understand each other well and he understands what he is implying.”

A Starting Point of Reaction

Most importantly though, he could be pleased that there was a spirit, a pushback. Madrid’s players had not let Alonso fall during the game and after it they publicly backed him. Some of this may have been theatrical, done out of professionalism or self-preservation, but in this climate, it was important. The effort with which they played had been equally so – even if there is a danger of the most basic of requirements somehow being framed as a type of success.

In the build-up, Aurélien Tchouaméni had insisted the coach had a plan, that their failings were not his responsibility. “I think my teammate Aurélien put it perfectly in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said post-match. “The sole solution is [for] the players to alter the attitude. The attitude is the linchpin and today we have seen a shift.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were supporting the coach, also answered in numbers: “100%.”

“We are continuing trying to work it out in the locker room,” he continued. “We know that the [outside] chatter will not be helpful so it is about attempting to fix it in there.”

“Personally, I feel the coach has been superb. I personally have a great rapport with him,” Bellingham added. “Following the sequence of games where we drew a few, we had some very productive conversations among ourselves.”

“Every situation ends in the end,” Alonso concluded, maybe talking as much about a difficult spell as his own predicament.