Carlo Ancelotti, the coach who preceded Xabi Alonso, stepped up as a father figure to defend him after a difficult week marked by a Champions League defeat and a draw in La Liga. These results have raised questions about how the Basque coach is managing his squad. Despite Real Madrid sitting at the top of La Liga and ranking among the best eight teams in the Champions League, there is a noticeable tension around the club, as if a larger problem might be emerging.

The Italian coach firmly supported Xabi, recalling their time together in 2014 when Alonso was still a player. “Yes, I knew he would become a coach. I even had him as my assistant at Bayern. Even as a player, he had an exceptional understanding of the game. I was convinced he would do very well, and he is doing very well,” Ancelotti said.

Since taking charge, Xabi Alonso has installed a strict system that prioritizes the collective over individual choices. He has left key players like Rodrygo and Vinicius on the bench at times, which has sparked debate about his relationship with the dressing room. So far, the team has only lost twice this season, away to Atlético Madrid and Liverpool, and Ancelotti urged patience: “I can’t give him any advice. I watch all of Real Madrid’s matches and I see a team playing at a very high level. They have won almost every game, but in football, you can’t win every match. Sometimes you have to draw. One thing I learned at Real Madrid is that a draw here feels like the beginning of a crisis. We all know that a coach is judged by results, and his results have been spectacular. They are top of the league and in the top eight of the Champions League. What more can we ask from Xabi!” he stated.

Last season, even with Kylian Mbappé joining, Real Madrid ended the year without any major trophies. These outcomes pushed the club toward a generational shift under Xabi Alonso. “I have no doubt he will succeed. I see a very solid team, especially defensively, and very effective in attack. Mbappé is performing at a high level and Bellingham is back. I think Xabi can succeed without any problems,” Ancelotti concluded in his interview with AS.

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