Tag: Xabi Alonso

VAR reprieve and Haaland penalty fire Man City to statement win at the Bernabeu

Erling Haaland
December 2025

Manchester City overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Real Madrid 2-1 away, with Nico O’Reilly’s close-range finish and an Erling Haaland penalty cancelling out Rodrygo’s opener and pushing City up to fourth in the Champions League league-phase standings. Madrid briefly thought they had an early penalty before VAR ruled Matheus Nunes’ foul outside the box, and after Rodrygo’s breakaway strike, City exploited Madrid’s defensive lapses, with Haaland punishing Antonio Rüdiger’s foul while the hosts were later denied by misses from Jude Bellingham and Endrick.

Under pressure Alonso rolls dice on half fit Mbappe for Man City clash

Xabi Alonso
December 2025

Xabi Alonso has named Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid’s squad to face Manchester City despite recent leg concerns, gambling on his talisman’s availability as he fights for his job after a poor run that includes only two wins in seven matches across all competitions. Mbappe skipped open training and was reported to have left leg discomfort, yet his 25 goals and heavy share of Madrid’s scoring have made him almost undroppable. With injuries, suspensions and growing pressure after the Celta defeat, Alonso framed the City match as a shared last chance to spark a season that is drifting.

Trent Alexander-Arnold suffers fresh ankle concern after first La Liga assist for Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold
December 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold finally recorded his first La Liga assist for Real Madrid with a raking ball that Kylian Mbappe turned into the opener, only to limp off early in the second half with an apparent ankle injury that raises new doubts over his start in Spain. After a sharp attacking display and steadier defending against Nico Williams, Alexander-Arnold went down for treatment and was replaced by Raul Asencio, leaving Xabi Alonso sweating on scans while already missing Dani Carvajal and dealing with criticism from Spanish media who had branded the former Liverpool man clueless after earlier erratic performances and a recent hamstring layoff.

Manchester United weigh huge move for unsettled Valverde

Federico Valverde
November 2025

Manchester United are preparing an offer of around £87 million for Federico Valverde as they chase a flagship midfield signing, encouraged by reports of a recent bust up with Xabi Alonso that has left the Uruguayan more open than before to the idea of leaving Real Madrid. Real are expected to demand close to £100m or point to his release clause, while United must persuade a two time Champions League winner and vice captain, who prides himself on playing any role for the team, to leave a dominant side and front a rebuild without guaranteed Champions League football.

Vinicius edges towards new Real deal after Alonso truce

Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
November 2025

Vinicius Jr has eased his stance in renewal talks and is now close to accepting Real Madrid’s reduced salary offer, stepping back from initial demands to match Kylian Mbappe’s pay as the club pushes to secure his long-term future before 2027. Earlier, negotiations froze amid tension with Xabi Alonso as Vinicius bristled at substitutions, clashed during El Clasico and led a small disgruntled group, but a dressing-room apology and public embrace after the 4-3 win at Olympiacos have reset relations and unlocked progress.

Mbappe scores seven-minute hat-trick to bury Olympiacos

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
November 2025

Olympiacos briefly stunned Real Madrid with a superb team goal, only for Kylian Mbappe to respond with a ruthless seven-minute hat-trick before half-time, flipping the game from 1-0 down to a commanding Real lead and adding another historic European feat to his record. After ending a three-match scoring drought with the equaliser on 22 minutes, Mbappe headed in a second moments later, then latched onto Arda Guler’s lofted pass to drill a low third past Konstantinos Tzolakis. The explosive burst reasserted Madrid’s control and ensured another match ball for the France star.

Hutchison urges West Ham to move for frustrated Endrick but warns La Liga loan may suit better

Endrick (Real Madrid)
November 2025

Endrick is frustrated by a lack of chances under Xabi Alonso after just 11 La Liga minutes this season, following a seven goal debut campaign, and is considering a move to kick start his development away from a crowded attack led by Gonzalo Garcia and Kylian Mbappe. Don Hutchison told Sportscasting he would endorse West Ham signing the powerful 19 year old but suggested a short La Liga loan, at a club where he can start weekly, might better rebuild confidence, fitness and output before any long term Premier League or Real Madrid return.

Real Madrid set Endrick loan to Lyon to restart minutes

Endrick
November 2025

With opportunities scarce under Xabi Alonso following injury setbacks, Madrid approved a loan in principle to Lyon. Manchester United and Aston Villa probed late but Lyon’s guaranteed role and pathway toward Brazil consideration swayed the forward. The plan prioritizes starts and defined responsibilities over cameo minutes. Madrid retain long-term belief after a mixed debut season; Lyon gain a high-ceiling finisher to spearhead attack, with performance targets likely embedded to track progress before summer 2026.

Real captain Carvajal ruled out for 2025

Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
October 2025

Xabi Alonso said a post-Clásico scan revealed an injury that likely sidelines Carvajal for the rest of the year, his second absence this season. The setback follows Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona, where squad depth covered his earlier minutes. Madrid will rotate full-back cover via Lucas Vázquez and youth options, with Aurélien Tchouaméni or Federico Valverde occasionally shielding that flank. Medical staff target full January reintegration; workload management and reduced overlap volume are planned on return to lower recurrence risk.

Dugarry slams Vinícius for Clasico “whining” after Alonso substitution

Christophe Dugarry
October 2025

Vinícius reacted angrily to a 72’ substitution—storming off, later returning—and joined post-match altercations. Dugarry blasted his conduct as disrespectful to the coach. The flashpoint overshadowed a statement win that ended a four-game drought versus Barça, despite Vinícius influencing phases including the move before Bellingham’s winner. Madrid’s man-management test continues: aligning star temperament with Alonso’s control ethos. Expect clearer substitution protocols and leadership intervention from veterans. For Vinícius, reputational repair requires disciplined pressing, cleaner decision-making, and restraint under provocation. Winning softens noise, but repetition will escalate dressing-room consequences and tactical recalibration of late-game wide roles.

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