Alonso Navigating a Fine Path at the Bernabéu Even With Dressing Room Backing.

No forward in the club's history had gone scoreless for as such a duration as Rodrygo, but at last he was released and he had a statement to broadcast, performed for the cameras. The Brazilian, who had not scored in an extended drought and was commencing only his fifth match this campaign, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to hand his team the lead against the English champions. Then he spun and sprinted towards the sideline to greet Xabi Alonso, the boss on the edge for whom this could signal an more significant release.

“This is a tough moment for him, similar to how it is for us,” Rodrygo stated. “Things aren’t coming off and I aimed to demonstrate everyone that we are together with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo made his comments, the advantage had been surrendered, a setback taking its place. City had turned it around, going 2-1 ahead with “minimal”, Alonso observed. That can transpire when you’re in a “delicate” condition, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had fought back. This time, they could not pull off a comeback. Endrick, brought on having played very little all season, struck the crossbar in the dying moments.

A Reserved Verdict

“It wasn’t enough,” Rodrygo conceded. The dilemma was whether it would be adequate for Alonso to keep his position. “We didn’t feel that [this was a trial of the coach],” veteran keeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was understood behind closed doors. “Our performance proved that we’re supporting the coach: we have given a good account, provided 100%,” Courtois affirmed. And so judgment was withheld, sentencing delayed, with games against Alavés and Sevilla on the horizon.

A Distinct Type of Setback

Madrid had been beaten at home for the second occasion in four days, continuing their poor form to just two victories in eight, but this was a little different. This was a European powerhouse, rather than a lesser opponent. Simplified, they had competed with intensity, the simplest and most damning charge not aimed at them on this night. With eight men out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, coming close to securing something at the end. There were “a lot of very good things” about this performance, the head coach said, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, tonight.

The Bernabéu's Muted Reaction

That was not always the case. There were periods in the closing 45 minutes, as discontent grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had whistled. At the conclusion, a section of supporters had done so again, although there was likewise pockets of appreciation. But primarily, there was a subdued flow to the exits. “It's to be expected, we accept it,” Rodrygo noted. Alonso added: “It’s nothing that is unprecedented before. And there were times when they applauded too.”

Squad Backing Stands Evident

“I sense the support of the players,” Alonso declared. And if he stood by them, they backed him too, at least towards the cameras. There has been a rapprochement, discussions: the coach had listened to them, arguably more than they had embraced him, finding common ground not exactly in the center.

The longevity of a remedy that is is still an matter of debate. One small incident in the post-match press conference felt notable. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s advice to stick to his principles, Alonso had let that idea to remain unanswered, answering: “I share a good rapport with Pep, we know each other well and he is aware of what he is talking about.”

A Basis of Fight

Most importantly though, he could be content that there was a fight, a pushback. Madrid’s players had not abandoned their coach during the game and after it they stood up for him. Some of this may have been performative, 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 requirements somehow being elevated as a form of success.

The previous day, Aurélien Tchouaméni had argued the coach had a plan, that their failings were not his fault. “I believe my teammate Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said post-match. “The key is [for] the players to change the attitude. The attitude is the linchpin and today we have observed a shift.”

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

“We’re still trying to figure it out in the locker room,” he elaborated. “It's clear that the [outside] speculation will not be beneficial so it is about trying to fix it in there.”

“In my opinion the gaffer has been superb. I individually have a great rapport with him,” Bellingham added. “After the run of games where we drew a few, we had some very productive conversations among ourselves.”

“Every situation passes in the end,” Alonso mused, maybe talking as much about poor form as anything else.