Xabi Alonso is a Real Madrid legend from his playing days and is in his first season as manager of the club. However, after an excellent start to the season, fans at the Santiago Bernabeu are starting to lose faith in him.
Los Blancos lost 2-0 to Celta Vigo yesterday, which means that their bitter rivals, Barcelona, are now four points ahead of them in La Liga. Alonso's players have lost their discipline, with Fran Garcia and Álvaro Carreras both being sent off.
Not a lot is going right at Real Madrid, with Eder Militao also limping off the field of play injured. Militao will join the club captain, Dani Carvajal, along with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy on the treatment table.
Despite Real Madrid winning just one of their last five La Liga games, Alonso has insisted that he is still the man for the job. He was quoted by Fabrizio Romano saying, "I definitely do feel strong enough to turn this situation around. This team wants to compete, we're on the right track. La Liga is still very long. We can turn this around."
Can Xabi Alonso turn Real Madrid's season around?
Alonso has to come out fighting with what he says, but Real Madrid fans may not believe him. There is still a lot of soccer to be played this season. However, Barcelona's lead will only get bigger if Los Blancos continue playing as they are.
His tenure at Real Madrid started badly as Los Blancos were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Paris Saint-Germain. It was seen as Los Blancos' obligation to win the competition as it was the first edition in its new expanded format.
Real Madrid started the La Liga season very well, winning their first six games. However, they then lost 5-2 to Atletico Madrid. This was not disastrous as four straight victories for Alonso's side followed. Then came three successive draws before they beat Athletic Bilbao. Last night's loss to Celta has confirmed that Alonso's side is in a real slump.
Los Blancos' Champions League campaign has also not been without its bumps in the road. They have won all their games, but did lose to a Liverpool side that is enduring a disastrous campaign. Real Madrid face Manchester City in the competition this week. They have had numerous thrilling encounters with City over the years, and this tie could be another classic.