Are you 24 or older?

Help us verify your age by providing an honest response. This site contains gambling advertising for 24+.

Age-restricted content

You’re not old enough to view betting content. You’ll be redirected to the homepage.

alt
LiveTickets
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through the links provided, we may earn a commission.
Real Sociedad v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA SportsGetty Images Sport
Neil Banerjee

Xabi Alonso under pressure to end 'bad habits' and create new culture at Real Madrid amid mentality fears and lack of leadership in squad

X. Alonso
Real Madrid
LaLiga

After the derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid, Xabi Alonso faces his biggest test as Real Madrid manager, which is rebuilding a fractured dressing room, restoring discipline and redefining what leadership means at the Santiago Bernabeu. With matches against Barcelona and Liverpool coming up, Madrid’s new era hangs on whether Alonso can end bad habits and ignite a winning culture once again.

Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
ExpressVPN

Pro

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 14 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is included with the Express Pro plan.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
ExpressVPN

Pro

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 14 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is included with the Express Pro plan.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers an unlimited private email relay plus an unlimited number of shared aliases and 20 custom domains, ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator, and ExpressAI, an AI assistant that offers 500 credits a day, six AI models, a web search facility plus 2GB storage.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 73%

  • Pressure mounts after the Atletico collapse

    The 5-2 defeat to Atletico last month didn’t just sting because of the scoreline, it cut deep into Los Blancos' identity. For a club built on standards of excellence, the display exposed cracks in focus, fight and leadership. According to the Athletic, the dressing room atmosphere in the aftermath was said to be tense. Senior figures reportedly confronted younger players over preparation and professionalism, while Alonso held a closed-door meeting with his coaching staff to assess what went wrong, not just on the field, but behind the scenes. Madrid’s hierarchy, too, began to sense that the problem wasn’t purely tactical. It was systemic.

    Madrid’s response since has been steady but unconvincing. A few wins in La Liga and the Champions League have eased the noise, but the real tests are only beginning. With Barcelona, and Liverpool lined up, the team’s mental fragility could resurface under pressure. And for Alonso, still in the early months of his reign, this run could define his authority or expose how far his rebuild still has to go.

  • Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA SportsGetty Images Sport

    Leadership void and the ego era

    Madrid’s dominance through the last decade was sustained by continuity with figures like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Dani Carvajal and Nacho Fernandez setting the tone in both training and battle. Today, only Carvajal remains, carrying the armband and the burden of leadership almost alone. The departures of Modric, Kroos, Lucas Vazquez and Nacho have left a vacuum that no one has truly filled.

    Former coach Carlo Ancelotti often warned of this moment. He valued the veterans for their influence more than their minutes, calling them “guardians of the atmosphere.” Now, Alonso’s Madrid feels younger, livelier, but more fragile. Federico Valverde leads quietly through example; Aurelien Tchouameni shows discipline but is still learning; Kylian Mbappe is electric in matches yet distant in the daily grind; and Jude Bellingham, still early in his Madrid story, is being pushed toward leadership, perhaps much faster than he expected.

    Citing a few problems, Vinicius Junior, once the symbol of Madrid’s new energy, is now reportedly at odds with the club over a contract renewal dispute. According to reports, he has rejected multiple proposals, insisting he deserves to be the highest-paid player above Mbappe, Bellingham, and long-serving veterans. Insiders suggest that the issue is no longer financial, but symbolic as Vinicius believes his contributions and status warrant the top bracket.

  • Alonso’s culture war at Valdebebas

    The former Bayer Leverkusen head coach didn’t just arrive to win matches, he came to change some "bad habits", the report adds. Inside Valdebebas, he has demanded punctuality, raised training intensity, and erased any sense of hierarchy between “stars” and “newcomers.” “He’s a coach who trains with the players, not one who just observes,” a staff member shared. His message is clear and simple that talent alone isn’t enough anymore.

    But cultural reform is slow work in a club addicted to immediate results. Some within Madrid describe Alonso’s challenge as “turning a luxury team into a disciplined one.” His hands-on, no-compromise approach is a break from Ancelotti’s calm management style. Still, old habits like lateness, ego, complacency and so on lingers within the team. Alonso’s fight is as much psychological as tactical which is to rebuild a collective mentality before big nights test their resolve again.

    Aside from Madrid, Alonso’s vision extends beyond the first team. In recent weeks, he has echoed Jurgen Klopp’s idea of creating a U21 league in Germany and suggested that Spain needs something similar. “There’s an entire generation of players who fall through the cracks between youth football and the senior level,” Alonso said. “We need structured competition that teaches responsibility early.”  Players like Nico Paz, Arda Guler and Alvaro Rodriguez have immense potential but little competitive space to bridge the gap to elite football. Alonso believes that institutional reform is essential to developing maturity and reducing the “lost years” many young players face before they stabilise professionally.

    • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

    Follow GOAL on Google
  • TOPSHOT-FBL-EUR-C1-REAL MADRID-JUVENTUSAFP

    Can Alonso build a group of elites at Madrid?

    A narrow win over Juventus brought brief relief, but the real proving ground begins now. El Clasico looms, followed by a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, these are matches that will reveal whether Madrid’s “new culture” has substance or slogans. Another misstep, like the one against Atletico, could revive doubts about leadership and unity in the dressing room.

    Los Blancos' transformation has always happened through crisis. For Alonso, this is that moment. His project isn’t just about tactics or transfers; it’s about identity. Can he build a team that fights together, leads together, and plays with the discipline of Madrid’s great generations? The next few weeks will tell whether the Spaniard is forging a culture strong enough to carry Europe’s most demanding club into a new era.

Next matches
SAN

SAN

LaLiga

01 Nov 2026

RMA

RMA