Alonso Treading a Precarious Path at the Bernabéu Despite Player Support.

No attacker in Los Blancos' record books had gone scoreless for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but at last he was freed and he had a message to deliver, executed for the world to see. The Brazilian, who had failed to score in an extended drought and was commencing only his fifth match this term, beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Pep Guardiola's side. Then he spun and charged towards the sideline to embrace Xabi Alonso, the manager under pressure for whom this could prove an even greater liberation.

“It’s a challenging time for him, like it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Things are not going our way and I sought to show everyone that we are united with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo made his comments, the lead had been taken from them, a setback ensuing. City had reversed the score, going 2-1 ahead with “very little”, Alonso observed. That can occur when you’re in a “delicate” situation, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had responded. This time, they could not complete a turnaround. Endrick, on as a substitute having played a handful of minutes all season, rattled the crossbar in the dying moments.

A Reserved Sentence

“It wasn’t enough,” Rodrygo admitted. The dilemma was whether it would be adequate for Alonso to keep his position. “We didn't view it as [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remarked, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was perceived internally. “We have shown that we’re supporting the coach: we have given a good account, provided 100%,” Courtois concluded. And so judgment was postponed, consequences pending, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla imminent.

A Distinct Kind of Defeat

Madrid had been beaten at home for the second time in four days, perpetuating their poor form to two wins in eight, but this felt a more respectable. This was a European powerhouse, as opposed to a domestic opponent. Stripped down, they had competed with intensity, the easiest and most harsh charge not directed at them this time. With multiple players out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, coming close to salvaging something at the final whistle. There were “numerous of very good things” about this performance, the head coach stated, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, not this time.

The Bernabéu's Mixed Reaction

That was not entirely the full story. There were moments in the second half, as irritation grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had voiced its disapproval. At full time, a portion of supporters had repeated that, although there was likewise pockets of appreciation. But primarily, there was a subdued procession to the subway. “That’s normal, we understand it,” Rodrygo said. Alonso stated: “This is nothing that doesn't occur before. And there were times when they cheered too.”

Player Backing Is Firm

“I feel the backing of the players,” Alonso declared. And if he stood by them, they supported him too, at least towards the cameras. There has been a coming together, talks: the coach had accommodated them, maybe more than they had accommodated him, finding a point not quite in the middle.

The longevity of a solution that is is still an matter of debate. One seemingly minor exchange in the post-match press conference felt significant. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s suggestion to stick to his principles, Alonso had allowed that notion to hang there, responding: “I share a good rapport with Pep, we understand each other well and he understands what he is implying.”

A Foundation of Resistance

Crucially though, he could be pleased that there was a spirit, a reaction. Madrid’s players had not given up during the game and after it they defended him. Part of it may have been performative, done out of obligation or mutual survival, but in this context, it was meaningful. The effort with which they played had been too – even if there is a danger of the most fundamental of requirements somehow being framed as a kind of success.

In the build-up, Aurélien Tchouaméni had stated firmly the coach had a strategy, that their failings were not his doing. “I think my teammate Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said after full-time. “The only way is [for] the players to improve the approach. The attitude is the crucial element and today we have observed a difference.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were with the coach, also answered with a figure: “100%.”

“We persist in striving to solve it in the dressing room,” he continued. “It's clear that the [outside] noise will not be beneficial so it is about striving to resolve it in there.”

“In my opinion the manager has been superb. I personally have a excellent connection with him,” Bellingham stated. “After the spell of games where we tied a few, we had some very productive conversations internally.”

“Everything concludes in the end,” Alonso concluded, possibly referring as much about poor form as anything else.