At the heart of the conflict was a fundamental disagreement over how the team should prepare. Alonso, renowned for his meticulous tactical setups, arrived in Madrid determined to implement a complex, high-pressing system similar to the one that won him the Bundesliga unbeaten. However, the Real Madrid squad, accustomed to a more fluid and less rigid style under Carlo Ancelotti, rejected his methods.
The players reportedly found Alonso’s training sessions "excessively burdensome." There were widespread complaints within the dressing room regarding the "excessive volume of information" being thrown at them daily. The squad felt suffocated by the level of detail and the constant corrections, which they viewed as unnecessary micromanagement.
This resentment extended to Alonso’s coaching staff, particularly his assistant Sebas Parrilla. The excessive zeal shown by Alonso and Parrilla in drilling tactical instructions and correcting every minor error alienated the players further. The squad grew uncomfortable with having so many voices barking orders and scrutinising every movement, leading to a toxic daily atmosphere where the joy of training was replaced by friction and fatigue.
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