One of the most widespread analyzes of Real Madrid in recent weeks is that the Xabi Alonso of the autumn is not the same as the Xabi Alonso of the summer: less daring, less interventionist in games, kinder to the stars. The coach did not go that far this Tuesday in his speech, he did not admit so many self-amendments, but he did acknowledge that he had changed in recent months.
“The Xabi who arrived in June for the Mundialito and the one now is not the same. In essence, yes, but he is not the same in things that I have learned, that I have had to adjust about myself, when it comes to getting to know and adapting,” he explained in a rapture of confession that contrasted with his usual secrecy before the press, with which he has come to feel somewhat annoyed these days due to the barrage of questions about his .
The Basque, who spoke of how “relationships develop” and everyone gets to know each other better as time goes by, explained that he had changed “as a coach, manager and management“You learn about everything, what is going well, what is not so good, what you can adjust, what I would like to do better,” added Alonso before visiting Talavera in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey (9:00 p.m., La1).
“And I suppose the same thing will happen to the players when they see the type of training, coach, decisions, how we want to play,” he continued. “We are not still photos, we are evolving. We have been there for four or five months. There is still a way to go. If we are a better team in March, it will be good. And if we are a better team at the end of the season, even better,” concluded Xabi, who on his worst nights did not stop appealing to those in football and internal unity.
His recognition occurs at a time when he does not stop showing support from players. From the wayward Vinicius in Vitoria, from Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham on the night of Manchester City and from Tchouameni before crossing paths with Pep Guardiola, among others.
From the Xabi of September and October, to the Xabi of November and December, the most obvious change is the one that has to do with Vinicius. In the 12 games prior to the classic in which he suffered a serious snub from the Brazilian when he was substituted, the winger started as a substitute in three games and was relieved five times before the 80th minute. However, in the 10 duels following that change of needles in the campaign, the number seven has only started from the bench on one occasion (Elche) and in two he left the field before the 80th minute (Valencia and San Mamés), although in both cases the result was already It was more than finished.
After the draw at Martínez Valero, which marked the third game in a row without winning, Xabi was asked by the club’s management to build bridges with the players. Then, the discontent of several key players in the squad with him was already public, especially Vinicius and Valverde. Bellingham had also made a bad face with some of his decisions. In the next match, against Olympiacos in Athens, Alonso spoke about how there had been some problems within the group on the trip.
In parallel, Xabi has been making some kind decisions with the group, such as granting two days off after the victory in San Mamés (there was only one training session before the defeat against Celta). This Monday there was no session in Valdebebas either and this Tuesday was the only day of joint work in the sports city prior to the cup match in Talavera, where there will be up to 10 absences: Carvajal, Trent, Mendy, Camavinga, Mbappé, Valverde, Rüdiger (forced the last games), Ceballos (gastroenteritis) and Brahim (Africa Cup).
