Real Madrid News
Part of Real Madrid dressing room ‘angered’ by Alonso’s disciplinarian approach – report
The dip in Real Madrid’s form over recent weeks has understandably alarmed the club offices, although Florentino Perez and Co. trust Xabi Alonso to find a way to move past the hurdle.
Nevertheless, it is safe to say that the new manager has come up against his first rocky spell relatively early in his tenure at the club, and there appears to be a degree of disconnect between his ideas and the on-field implementation.
The team’s recent game against Rayo Vallecano saw players quarrelling in the middle of the field over the tactical idea in play, exemplifying the same.
Moreover, there is clear turbulence between the manager and certain players in the squad including Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo.
A change in principles
As relayed by Romain Molina in a recent report, the sheer extent of change of discipline from Carlo Ancelotti to Xabi Alonso has made many Real Madrid stars uncomfortable – adding to the turbulence against the manager.
While the players have not been named, the report suggests that some Real Madrid stars used to go to Ibiza after games instead of returning to Madrid to celebrate a day off when Ancelotti was at the helm.
They missed training at their will and did whatever they wanted.
Accustomed to that comfort, they are unable to digest or come to terms with how much of a disciplinarian Alonso is.
Not the same under Alonso
They wanted to repeat the same lifestyle under the new manager but their plan did not work.
The situation has thus reportedly angered the entourage of some of the players who now feel Alonso is meddling unnecessarily in the personal lives of players.
In this regard, one’s support goes out towards Alonso for discipline during training days must be a non-negotiable even if it tends to hurt certain egos in the dressing room.
However, it is also clear that such friction does not help the manager’s tenure at the club or make it any easier.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
