Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso Navigates High Stakes Ahead of Sevilla Clash

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso navigated questions about his future, carefully sidestepping direct comparisons to former manager Bernd Schuster. Schuster was dismissed two decades ago following a La Liga defeat to Sevilla.

Alonso spoke at a press conference on the eve of Real Madrid’s home match against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu. Speculation has grown about the former Bayer Leverkusen coach’s potential departure if the team fails to secure a victory.

Real Madrid currently sits second in the La Liga standings with 39 points. They trail leaders Barcelona by four points. Sevilla holds ninth place with 20 points.

Sevilla last defeated Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on December 9, 2008.

That match concluded with a 3-4 scoreline. Bernd Schuster was sacked as Real Madrid coach just hours later. His dismissal followed a post-match comment: “I think it’s impossible for us to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou” in the next fixture. This statement angered Real Madrid’s management, leading to his immediate replacement by Juande Ramos.

Xabi Alonso and Bernd Schuster’s Fate

During the press conference, Xabi Alonso was asked directly if he feared Schuster’s fate. Alonso responded, “My goal is to win the match, and that is what occupies us. I was not aware of those statistics.”

Alonso added, “This is the last game of the year. We have played many matches. We want to finish strong, secure our third consecutive win, and start 2026 with enthusiasm and optimism.”

He further stated, “The opponent is a strong team. They demand a lot of effort and rely on individual duels. Their players engage in many tackles. They are good at handling the ball.”

Xabi Alonso’s Self-Assessment at Real Madrid

Alonso discussed the support he receives from the club. He stated, “From the beginning, we have had a close relationship, built on respect and affection. The demands are very high. It is a long road; there will be good times and not-so-good times.”

He declined to evaluate his own performance. Alonso said, “That is not up to me. Evaluations are given at the end of the season.”

Asked about the level of patience at Real Madrid, Alonso replied, “The club always aspires to win everything. We understand the goal and how we want to achieve it. We are all united, from the president to the players, to do our best. This is unquestionable.”

Alonso also spoke about his psychological state to reporters. He said, “I am fine, and I hope you are too. We meet often… with enthusiasm and energy. We want to finish this period well so we can enter the break feeling comfortable.”

Xabi Alonso on Vinicius and Rodrygo

The Basque coach was questioned about “laughter” from Vinicius and other players after the match against Talavera. Alonso stated, “I did not see the footage. We managed to qualify, and we are thinking about Sevilla. The match ended well; that is all there is to it.”

Responding to a question about Vinicius’s dip in form, Alonso commented, “Vinicius’s situation is a matter of timing. I have no doubt that the goal will come. I hope it is tomorrow.”

Alonso believes Rodrygo provides the team with “balance, with and without the ball.” He added, “He is good at connecting between lines and in tight spaces. We need to get to him. We want to be more stable, on the right side or wherever he can play… I am very happy for him; he is performing well.”

When asked about the possibility of playing with more attackers, Alonso replied, “We have done that sometimes. Endrick performed well and created spaces for Kylian (Mbappé)… We must combine the individual abilities we possess.”

Federico Valverde missed Friday’s training session due to a cold and a foot bruise. Alonso noted, “Some players were able to participate in training. We will train a little tomorrow and decide. We are waiting for everyone, and we need them.”