Xabi Alonso Treading a Thin Path at the Bernabéu Amidst Dressing Room Backing.

No attacker in Real Madrid’s history had gone scoreless for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but eventually he was released and he had a declaration to broadcast, performed for the world to see. The Brazilian, who had been goalless in an extended drought and was beginning only his fifth appearance this campaign, beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Manchester City. Then he wheeled and charged towards the sideline to greet Xabi Alonso, the manager under pressure for whom this could prove an profound liberation.

“This is a difficult moment for him, just as it is for us,” Rodrygo said. “Performances aren’t coming off and I aimed to demonstrate everyone that we are united with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo spoke, the advantage had been surrendered, a setback ensuing. City had reversed the score, going 2-1 ahead with “minimal”, Alonso remarked. That can transpire when you’re in a “fragile” condition, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had reacted. On this occasion, they could not pull off a comeback. Endrick, introduced off the bench having played very little all season, hit the bar in the dying moments.

A Reserved Verdict

“It proved insufficient,” Rodrygo admitted. The issue was whether it would be sufficient for Alonso to keep his job. “That wasn't our perception [this was a trial of the coach],” veteran keeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been framed publicly, and how it was understood behind closed doors. “We have shown that we’re supporting the manager: we have given a good account, provided 100%,” Courtois affirmed. And so the final decision was reserved, consequences delayed, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A Different Type of Defeat

Madrid had been defeated at home for the second time in four days, continuing their recent run to just two victories in eight, but this was a somewhat distinct. This was the Premier League champions, not a La Liga opponent. Streamlined, they had competed with intensity, the most obvious and most damning charge not levelled at them this time. With a host of first-teamers out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, coming close to earning something at the end. There were “a lot of very good things” about this performance, the boss stated, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, on this occasion.

The Bernabéu's Ambivalent Reception

That was not always the complete picture. There were spells in the second half, as irritation grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had whistled. At the conclusion, some of supporters had done so again, although there was likewise some applause. But primarily, there was a subdued stream to the exits. “We understand that, we comprehend it,” Rodrygo commented. Alonso stated: “This is nothing that is unprecedented before. And there were times when they applauded too.”

Dressing Room Backing Is Firm

“I feel the backing of the players,” Alonso declared. And if he supported them, they stood by him too, at least for the public. There has been a rapprochement, conversations: the coach had listened to them, perhaps more than they had embraced him, finding somewhere not quite in the middle.

The longevity of a remedy that is remains an unresolved issue. One seemingly minor moment in the post-match press conference felt significant. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s counsel to stick to his principles, Alonso had allowed that notion to remain unanswered, responding: “I have a good rapport with Pep, we understand each other well and he is aware of what he is talking about.”

A Starting Point of Fight

Crucially though, he could be content that there was a spirit, a response. Madrid’s players had not given up during the game and after it they stood up for him. Part of it may have been for show, done out of obligation or mutual survival, but in this context, it was significant. The effort with which they played had been equally so – even if there is a danger of the most fundamental of expectations somehow being elevated as a form of achievement.

Earlier, Aurélien Tchouaméni had argued the coach had a vision, that their mistakes were not his fault. “I believe my teammate Aurélien put it perfectly in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said post-match. “The sole solution is [for] the players to change the approach. The attitude is the crucial element and today we have observed a difference.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were behind the coach, also answered quantitatively: “100%.”

“We’re still attempting to work it out in the changing room,” he elaborated. “We understand that the [outside] chatter will not be beneficial so it is about trying to fix it in there.”

“In my opinion the coach has been excellent. I individually have a great connection with him,” Bellingham stated. “After the spell of games where we tied a few, we had some honest conversations among ourselves.”

“Every situation ends in the end,” Alonso mused, perhaps referring as much about poor form as his own predicament.