Real Madrid Back Together, Relieve Pressure on Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso praised Real Madrid's unity after a 2-1 win over Alaves in LaLiga on Monday, December 15, 2025, which slightly eased the pressure on the coach who was under the spotlight.

Kylian Mbappe gave Los Blancos the lead in the first half at Mendizorroza. Carlos Vicente then equalised for the hosts after the break, before Rodrygo scored the winner in the final minutes from Vinicius Junior's assist.

The victory left Real Madrid four points behind rivals Barcelona, who are top of the table. The three-point haul was long overdue after a run of disappointing results, including three draws and a defeat to Celta Vigo in the league that led club executives to discuss Alonso's future.

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Alonso's relationship with Vinicius has been in the spotlight since the striker's angry reaction when he was replaced in El Clasico in October 2025.

However, the two hugged after the Brazilian star was pulled off towards the end of the game against Alaves.

"We are all together, we fight together in good times and bad times. The team played well. At the beginning it was very good and we were able to win again at the end of the game. Unity is fundamental," Alonso said in a post-match press conference.

Real Madrid now have two more games before the Christmas break, visiting Talavera de la Reina in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, December 18, 2025, before hosting Sevilla in LaLiga next weekend, December 21, 2025.

"We are very focused on doing our job. We are together, preparing for the game every three days. The players deserve a lot of praise for this victory."

"We lost a lot of players, (defender Victor) Valdepenas made his debut. We are all together in this. We will face the Copa in the middle of the week and then Sevilla."

"There is still a long way to go, but we have to be consistent with the good things we did today," said Alonso.

Meanwhile, ESPN previously reported that Real Madrid's defeat to Celta Vigo on December 7, 2025 - which was followed by a 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League - led the Real Madrid Board of Directors to discuss alternatives to Alonso, with doubts over the coach's managerial style against his squad.

However, now the situation is starting to calm down. In fact, according to Alonso, his team should have been able to score more goals in the match against Alaves, especially the controversy in the second half related to the offense against Vinicius.

"The game against Celta was not a good game, we lacked a lot of things. There are many positive things and some things that need to be improved. To continue to win games, we need to be consistent."

"In my opinion, it was a clear penalty. I was very surprised (the referee) didn't use VAR," said Alonso.

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