Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona came at a crucial time for Xabi Alonso. A 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid last month had triggered criticism and doubts about his ability to handle big games, especially after the 4-0 loss to PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Although Real Madrid had won every other match this season, Alonso’s staff sensed that poor results in a key stretch against Juventus, Barcelona, and Liverpool could land them in trouble.
After beating Juve and Barça, Madrid now have three straight Champions League wins and lead La Liga by five points, easing pressure on Alonso, for now.
Rift in the locker room
But the bigger battle waiting the Real Madrid manager may be inside the dressing room, according to Mario Cortegana of The Athletic.
Indeed, recently, there have been growing tensions between Alonso and some members of the Real Madrid team.
Several first-team players are unhappy with how he is managing the team and the major changes he has made since he arrived. The issue is understood to go well beyond Vinicius Jr.’s public outburst upon being substituted against Barcelona.
Sources close to Alonso’s camp said he found ‘many bad habits’ in the squad upon arrival. His first message was clear: everyone must ‘run harder and work harder’ off the ball or lose their place.
At the start of pre-season, Alonso spoke with senior figures and team captains and set some new rules, which included emphasising punctuality, intensity, and professionalism.
“Xabi has tried to guarantee more discipline and order in the day-to-day, with control of schedules, more work in the gym at the prevention level, and group and individual video sessions,” said a source at the training ground.
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 19: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Real Madrid gives instructions to his players during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Not everyone is happy with Alonso’s changes. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Not all players welcomed the changes, with senior figures said to have felt ‘disrespected and dissatisfied.’
Big changes from Ancelotti’s tenure
There is also a sense of a restriction placed on the footballers, stopping them from expressing themselves on the field with Alonso’s rigid tactical approach.
“Some of them have won so much without doing these things that when these have been imposed on them, they have complained. It’s normal, especially with those who were untouchable,” a source told The Athletic.
Another added, “Madrid have gone from having a coach who was hardly involved in training sessions to one who seems like just another player.”
Some players see Alonso as ‘distant and unapproachable’ compared to Carlo Ancelotti. “He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi,” said someone close to a senior player.
Alonso has also tightened control behind the scenes – limiting staff and entourage access to dressing room and other areas, demanding confidentiality, and ending the common leaks of team lineups.
Given the extensive changes, there is some rift developing between the manager and some players. But despite the early tension, Alonso’s success in results has strengthened his position.