The start of October was a delicate moment for Xabi Alonso in his first season as head coach of Real Madrid. The 5-2 loss against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitano had raised alarms around the club. Criticism focused directly on his tactical decisions during the derby, casting doubts over the strength of his project. However, in just a matter of days, the atmosphere surrounding the team shifted completely.

Two Key Wins Changed the Narrative

Victory in the Champions League against Kairat Almaty, followed by a strong LaLiga win over Villarreal, acted as a much-needed remedy for the Madrid side. These results not only restored confidence in the dressing room but also cooled criticism directed at Xabi Alonso.

One tactical decision stood out: moving Fede Valverde to right-back against Villarreal. This bold adjustment was seen as a clear statement of authority from the coach — he is the one making the decisions, not the players. The message resonated strongly within the squad and among Real Madrid supporters, who value decisive leadership during challenging moments.

Barcelona’s Slip-Ups Offer Unexpected Relief

Alongside his team’s resurgence, Xabi Alonso also benefited from the struggles of their biggest rivals. Barcelona’s back-to-back defeats against PSG and Sevilla shifted media and fan attention toward the Catalan club’s problems, easing the pressure on the Madrid coach.

Thanks to this combination of strong results and favorable circumstances, Real Madrid enters the international break sitting atop LaLiga and second in their Champions League group, with the crisis firmly behind them.

In just one week, Xabi Alonso went from being questioned to receiving widespread backing. The challenge now will be to maintain this positive momentum once the competition resumes, proving that the Madrid project is in capable hands.