Real Madrid are drifting into dangerous territory, and Sunday night’s 2–0 loss to Celta Vigo felt like more than another bad result. It exposed a team struggling with identity, discipline, and desire, while raising difficult questions about Xabi Alonso’s early months in charge.
The defeat, compounded by two red cards, spurred frustration among fans who believe the squad is no longer responding to its manager’s methods.
A close look at the Champions League record holders suggest that Alonso is attempting to implement the same high-intensity, aggressive football that elevated Bayer Leverkusen, but Real Madrid’s established stars are neither as hungry nor as receptive.
The Spaniard cannot demand the same from players who have “eaten and are full,” unlike the youthful, driven Leverkusen side Alonso managed. The recent training-ground disagreement with Vinícius Júnior only reinforced concerns that dressing-room dynamics are shifting against him.
Throughout the match, Madrid looked flat and disjointed. Their pressing was inconsistent, their runs lacked conviction, and their discipline collapsed under pressure. That decline left many questioning whether Alonso should remain in the role, although I believe replacing him would merely recycle the same structural problems.
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A team searching for leadership as tactical and emotional fault lines widen
Truth be told, Madrid’s issues go deeper than the manager. The club appears stuck between eras, struggling to transition from Ancelotti’s free-flowing freedom to Alonso’s rigid tactical framework. If players failed to fully respect a lenient, more experienced coach and are now falling like a pack of cards against a younger but strict one, then the institution itself must take responsibility – that’s not to say the team didn’t experience turbulent times under Ancelotti.
As one observer noted, “football is so harsh on coaches,” but accountability cannot rest with managers alone.
Against Celta, the chaos unfolded quickly. Substitute Williot Swedberg stunned the Bernabéu with a brilliant finish in the 53rd minute. Soon after, Fran García received two rapid yellow cards for reckless challenges, further destabilising Madrid. Álvaro Carreras’ late dismissal added to the meltdown, and Swedberg sealed the result in stoppage time after rounding Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid had their chances but lacked sharpness. Jude Bellingham twice forced saves, Kylian Mbappé fired wide from a clear opening, and Vinícius Júnior struggled with decision-making in key moments. Even Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde’s long-range effort could not alter the momentum. Meanwhile, Celta remained efficient, disciplined, and fearless.
Right now, will it be safe to say only Zinedine Zidane can restore authority and discipline of the highest order to the Madrid set-up?
Looking at the current Los Blancos, I am of the opinion that a manager with equal star power can command respect in the current dressing room. With Manchester City looming in the Champions League, the crisis threatens to escalate unless Madrid rediscover structure, intensity, and unity – and they have to do that fast.
Quick Comparison: Threats vs. Gains of Alonso’s reign so far
| Area | Gains under Alonso | Warning Signs / Failures |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Stability | Best early defensive record in years | Discipline breakdowns leading to multiple red cards |
| Tactical Order & Training Discipline | Stricter training rules, better preparation | Players reportedly unsettled by rigid structure and lost cohesion |
| Results in Major Matches | Wins vs Barcelona, solid Champions League start | Recent slump, home defeat to Celta, poor defensive discipline |
Tags: Real Madrid, Celta Vigo, #RMACEL, La Liga, Williot Swedberg, Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, Vinícius Júnior, Fran García, Álvaro Carreras, Zinedine Zidane.
