Xabi Alonso Navigating a Precarious Tightrope at Madrid Amidst Squad Backing.

No forward in Los Blancos' history had endured scoreless for as long as Rodrygo, but at last he was released and he had a declaration to deliver, executed for the cameras. The Brazilian, who had failed to score in an extended drought and was starting only his fifth game this season, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Pep Guardiola's side. Then he spun and charged towards the touchline to greet Xabi Alonso, the coach under pressure for whom this could prove an profound liberation.

“It’s a tough time for him, like it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Performances are not going our way and I wanted to prove everyone that we are together with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo made his comments, the advantage had been surrendered, a setback ensuing. City had turned it around, taking 2-1 ahead with “not much”, Alonso observed. That can occur when you’re in a “fragile” state, he continued, but at least Madrid had reacted. This time, they could not pull off a recovery. Endrick, on as a substitute having played very little all season, rattled the bar in the final seconds.

A Delayed Sentence

“It wasn’t enough,” Rodrygo conceded. The dilemma was whether it would be adequate for Alonso to keep his role. “We didn't view it as [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 with the manager: we have performed creditably, given 100%,” Courtois added. And so the final decision was reserved, sentencing pending, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A Distinct Form of Setback

Madrid had been overcome at home for the second occasion in four days, perpetuating their uninspiring streak to a mere pair of successes in eight, but this seemed a somewhat distinct. This was a European powerhouse, rather than a La Liga opponent. Simplified, they had actually run, the simplest and most critical accusation not levelled at them this time. With eight men out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, nearly earning something at the death. There were “numerous of very good things” about this display, the head coach argued, and there could be “no criticism” of his players, on this occasion.

The Stadium's Mixed Reaction

That was not completely the full story. There were moments in the latter period, as frustration grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had jeered. At full time, some of supporters had done so again, although there was in addition some applause. But primarily, there was a quiet stream to the doors. “That’s normal, we comprehend it,” Rodrygo said. Alonso stated: “This is nothing that doesn't occur before. And there were times when they cheered too.”

Player Backing Is Strong

“I feel the support of the players,” Alonso affirmed. And if he supported them, they stood by him too, at least for the public. There has been a coming together, talks: the coach had accommodated them, arguably more than they had accommodated him, finding a point not precisely in the center.

How lasting a remedy that is continues to be an matter of debate. One little exchange in the after-game press conference felt notable. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s advice to follow his own path, Alonso had allowed that implication to hang there, responding: “I have a good rapport with Pep, we understand each other well and he understands what he is implying.”

A Starting Point of Fight

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 defended him. Part of it may have been for show, done out of duty or self-interest, but in this tense environment, it was important. The effort with which they played had been equally so – even if there is a temptation of the most basic of standards somehow being promoted as a type of achievement.

The previous day, Aurélien Tchouaméni had insisted the coach had a plan, that their failings were not his responsibility. “In my view my colleague Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said after full-time. “The sole solution is [for] the players to improve the mindset. The attitude is the linchpin and today we have seen a shift.”

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

“We’re still trying to work it out in the changing room,” he continued. “We understand that the [outside] speculation will not be helpful so it is about striving to resolve it in there.”

“In my opinion the gaffer has been great. I myself have a excellent rapport with him,” Bellingham concluded. “After the spell of games where we were held a few, we had some very productive conversations internally.”

“All things ends in the end,” Alonso mused, perhaps referring as much about adversity as anything else.