Real Madrid is on fire right now. However, fans have seen this play out in the past, and know that an excellent start to the season doesn't always mean a great rest of the season.
Momentum is in Real Madrid's favor right now. Given the excellent summer additions, Real Madrid should be top of the table. That's not to diminish Xabi Alonso, who is in his first season, but it should encourage him to kick on instead.
For Real Madrid fans, the fear is always complacency. It is known that Real Madrid is the biggest and best club in the world, so those associated with the club mustn't rest on their laurels.
Real Madrid has been tested already, with injuries to key players and suspensions that shouldn't have been suspensions. Nevertheless, Real Madrid only appear to be getting stronger, the more challenges that are thrown their way.
That said, there is a feeling that this weekend's Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid is Real's first big test of the season. It's a test that Xabi Alonso will feel incentivised to pass with flying colours, for obvious reasons.
Xabi Alonso: Real Madrid is only getting started
According to a recent report from Sports Illustrated, Xabi Alonso only sees this start as exactly that: the start. He wants to build on this momentum, and feels like Real Madrid is only capable of getting stronger.
In his own words, Alonso said: “We’re very much in a growing phase, we’re still building. We’ve been together for 51 days and there is a long way to go yet. We’re building a solid base to be competitive in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa [del Rey]."
“They [the players] all feel connected and an important part of the team. There is still room for improvement but we’re on the right track - not only with the results but also how we’re doing things. We can’t stop, this is just the beginning and we want to keep competing well."
This is certainly the mentality that Real Madrid fans wanted. Xabi Alonso isn't putting any competition on a pedestal, and has removed the limiting belief that Real Madrid can only win one trophy. When has history ever suggested that?
Only time will tell if Xabi Alonso's comments still ring true after the Madrid derby, but there's no reason why Real cannot win that one. In fact, anything less than a win would be a severe underachievement.