Alonso Walking a Fine Tightrope at Real Madrid Even With Squad Support.

No forward in Real Madrid’s record books had endured without a goal for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but at last he was released and he had a statement to deliver, executed for public consumption. The Brazilian, who had not scored in almost a year and was beginning only his fifth match this season, beat custodian Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against the English champions. Then he turned and sprinted towards the bench to hug Xabi Alonso, the manager in the spotlight for whom this could prove an more significant relief.

“It’s a difficult time for him, like it is for us,” Rodrygo stated. “Results aren’t coming off and I wanted to show people that we are united with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo addressed the media, the lead had been surrendered, a setback taking its place. City had reversed the score, taking 2-1 ahead with “very little”, Alonso remarked. That can transpire when you’re in a “fragile” situation, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had responded. This time, they could not complete a comeback. Endrick, brought on having played 11 minutes all season, struck the woodwork in the final seconds.

A Delayed Judgment

“The effort fell short,” Rodrygo admitted. The question was whether it would be enough for Alonso to keep his position. “That wasn't our perception [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been presented externally, and how it was understood behind closed doors. “Our performance proved that we’re supporting the coach: we have given a good account, provided 100%,” Courtois affirmed. And so the final decision was postponed, consequences suspended, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A More Credible Type of Loss

Madrid had been overcome at home for the second match in four days, continuing their poor form to two wins in eight, but this felt a little different. This was a European powerhouse, not a lesser opponent. Simplified, they had competed with intensity, the easiest and most critical charge not levelled at them in this instance. With a host of first-teamers out injured, they had lost only to a scrambled finish and a penalty, almost securing something at the death. There were “a lot of very good things” about this performance, the manager stated, and there could be “no criticism” of his players, on this occasion.

The Bernabéu's Muted Response

That was not always the full story. There were periods in the closing 45 minutes, as discontent grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had voiced its disapproval. At the conclusion, some of supporters had continued, although there was likewise some applause. But for the most part, there was a subdued flow to the subway. “That’s normal, we accept it,” Rodrygo said. Alonso stated: “This is nothing that doesn't occur before. And there were instances when they cheered too.”

Dressing Room Backing Stands Firm

“I sense the backing of the players,” Alonso said. And if he stood by them, they stood by him too, at least towards the media. There has been a rapprochement, talks: the coach had accommodated them, arguably more than they had adapted to him, reaching somewhere not quite in the middle.

The longevity of a remedy that is remains an open question. One seemingly minor exchange in the after-game press conference appeared significant. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s advice to do things his way, Alonso had permitted that idea to remain unanswered, responding: “I have a good rapport with Pep, we know each other well and he knows what he is implying.”

A Starting Point of Reaction

Most importantly though, he could be pleased that there was a resistance, a reaction. Madrid’s players had not let Alonso fall during the game and after it they stood up for him. Part of it may have been performative, done out of obligation or self-preservation, but in this climate, it was important. The intensity with which they played had been too – even if there is a temptation of the most elementary of standards somehow being elevated as a type of success.

Earlier, Aurélien Tchouaméni had stated firmly the coach had a vision, that their mistakes were not his fault. “I believe my colleague Aurélien put it perfectly in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said post-match. “The sole solution is [for] the players to improve the approach. The attitude is the linchpin and today we have witnessed a change.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were behind the coach, also answered quantitatively: “100%.”

“We persist in attempting to figure it out in the dressing room,” he continued. “We understand that the [outside] noise will not be helpful so it is about attempting to resolve it in there.”

“I think the coach has been great. I myself have a great rapport with him,” Bellingham stated. “After the spell of games where we drew a few, we had some honest conversations behind the scenes.”

“Every situation concludes in the end,” Alonso concluded, maybe referring as much about poor form as his own predicament.