Real Madrid fell to their fourth defeat of the season on Wednesday night, at the hands of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester. The result only piled the pressure on Manager XeMa, who now have two straight defeats and a run of two wins in their last eight games.
Despite that, and despite the many stories in recent weeks where the dressing room was no longer behind Alonso, many real players came out to defend their manager. Although Los Blancos did not manage a result against the city, there was an acceptance that the required intensity was there.
Rodrygo – ‘Difficult moment for Alonso’
One of the players who has had a small amount of protagonism is Rodrygo Iya, but the Brazilian was seen greeting his coach at the end of the game.
“It’s a difficult time for him, like us, things are not going well, and he wanted to show that we are all in this situation, and we want to continue this, and we need this together, and we need to continue moving forward and we need it.
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‘Coach is great’ – Jude Bellingham
Meanwhile England international Bellingham is another name that reportedly did not see eye to eye with Alenso, but also threw his weight behind the Basque manager.
“The coach is great. I personally have a good relationship with him, and I also know that many of my teammates are doing things.
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“We’re still trying to sort it out, looking at what we can improve, regardless of what’s going on outside. Maybe we just need to respond to luck or talk about something inside.”
Thibaut Courteois: ‘Show us that we are alive’
Thibaut Courteois has been identified as one of the players on board with Alonso’s methods. Not for the first time, the Belgian striker defended his coach.
“We don’t see the city game as a test for him. We want to win because we know the situation is very close in the league, and even though we looked at a high level, even if we had 100%. And that I heard about a good game, and it was not meant to be.”
Raul Asencio: “The dressing room is 100% behind Xabi Alonso”
Central Defender Raul Asencio also saw a decrease in game time under Alonso, being used only in central defense or on the right side after a series of injuries. He also had direct words for Alonso.
“We are in the test every game, but that has always been the case at Real Madrid. We know the pressure we face in every game, that the clothes are going well or the Daily Asmosphere in Valdebebas, and that the DailyBebebas is going very well, very well.”
“But it is true that we are facing a different situation, atypical for real midrid soeon. And the only thing we can have is changing our attitude, that situation is the most important thing you can change. And today we saw a change.”
Before the match, TChouameni had spoken to the media and blamed Alonso, saying it was up to the players to make sure they used the equipment. Alonso was of a sanguine defeat after the match, feeling that there was ‘nothing to insult his players with’.