Courtois Acknowledges Ups And Downs With Alonso After Madrid’s Much-Needed Win

Real Madrid finally hit the reset button at San Mames, ending a frustrating three-match winless streak away from home with a confident 3-0 victory over Athletic Club. But beyond the scoreline, what caught attention was Thibaut Courtois’ candid admission that the squad’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso has seen “better or worse moments”.

The Belgian goalkeeper—who made a crucial save at 1-0 to keep the momentum alive—praised the team’s response while subtly hinting at the internal pressures the club has faced in recent weeks.

It was a victory Madrid needed, not just for points, but for peace.

Madrid Break Slump With Their “Most Complete Display”

Xabi Alonso described the performance as Real Madrid’s best of the season, and it’s hard to argue:

• Controlled tempo

• Improved pressing

• Better defensive organisation

• Sharper transitions

After three disappointing league draws, Los Blancos finally rediscovered the level expected from a title-chasing squad.

Courtois admitted that the team’s drop in intensity—especially during the sluggish outing against Girona—was unacceptable. “If you don’t play at 100%, you can easily be beaten,” he said.

But the win didn’t come without a price.

Both Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up injuries—adding to Madrid’s already overloaded medical room.

Courtois Clears The Air: “We’re Always Close To Him”

With rumours swirling about a fractured dressing room, Courtois made a deliberate effort to calm the noise.

Speaking to Spanish media, he clarified:

• There’s no major conflict between Alonso and the squad

• Tension is normal in football

• External speculation exaggerated the situation

His exact words:
“In relationships, there are always better or worse moments… On the outside, there’s always noise, but internally, we don’t notice it.”

It was a subtle but important message—Madrid might not be perfect, but the dressing room isn’t in flames either.

Reports Still Suggest A Dressing-Room Divide

Despite Courtois’ reassurance, the wider narrative remains tense.

Several reports have pointed to:

• Confusion over Alonso’s tactics

• Inconsistent roles for senior players

• Friction with big personalities

• Vinicius Jr.’s public frustration and contract hesitation

Madrid’s tactical experiments early in the season didn’t help, especially after the heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid and a dip in intensity throughout November.

The victory at San Mames may have paused the noise, but it hasn’t silenced it.

Madrid’s Turning Point… Or Temporary Relief?

There’s no question Madrid needed this win.
But one performance doesn’t erase the concerns:

• Inconsistent pressing

• Overreliance on individual brilliance

• Mounting injuries

• Internal pressure on Alonso’s project

The 3-0 win buys time—but the spotlight stays on.

If Real Madrid want to regain control of the title race and calm the storm around Alonso, they’ll need consistency, not just moments.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold Set For Two Months Out After Latest Injury Blow

Real Madrid have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered a rectus femoris injury in his left thigh, adding yet another setback to what has been a turbulent debut season in Spain. The 27-year-old lasted barely ten minutes after the restart against Athletic Club before limping off—an image that now defines Madrid’s growing injury crisis.

This injury is expected to keep him out for around two months, a huge blow for Los Blancos at a time when consistency and defensive stability are desperately needed.

A Promising Night Cut Short

Before the injury struck, Alexander-Arnold had delivered his first La Liga assist, showing glimpses of the attacking brilliance Madrid signed him for. But just as he appeared to be settling into rhythm, disaster hit again.

Real Madrid’s medical tests confirmed the muscular damage, marking his second major injury spell this season. Earlier, he missed six weeks with a hamstring strain, and Spanish media have been questioning whether he has fully adapted to Madrid’s intensity.

Just when Madrid needed continuity, they’re right back to patchwork solutions.

Madrid’s Right-Back Problem Just Got Worse

With Dani Carvajal already out until 2026, Alexander-Arnold’s absence leaves Xabi Alonso with no natural senior right-back available. That means another round of improvisation:

• Federico Valverde, a midfielder by trade

• Raul Asencio, a developing squad option

Both players can fill in, but neither offers the natural defensive profile Madrid require—especially during a jam-packed winter schedule featuring La Liga battles, European fixtures, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The more Valverde is forced into defensive duties, the less influence he can provide in midfield—a trade-off Alonso would rather avoid.

A Recovery That Needs Patience And Precision

The rectus femoris injury is particularly tricky for players who rely heavily on acceleration, long-range passing, and overlapping runs—three staples of Alexander-Arnold’s game. With his earlier hamstring problem still fresh, Madrid are expected to be extremely cautious.

Rushing him back could risk an even longer spell on the sidelines, something both club and player desperately want to avoid.

For now, his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu remains disrupted, inconsistent, and full of unanswered questions. Madrid need him, but they need him fully fit—not half ready.

What This Means For Real Madrid

Real Madrid now face:

• A thin defensive line

• A congested fixture schedule

• Tactical compromises

• Increased squad pressure

Xabi Alonso must find balance, stability, and results… without his two senior right-backs. It’s a huge test of depth and adaptability—one that could shape Madrid’s season.

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Joshua Zirkzee’s rollercoaster journey at Manchester United continues, and the Dutch striker remains one of the most unpredictable — yet potentially game-changing — players in the squad. While inconsistency has frustrated fans and coaches alike, his ability to produce magical moments from nothing makes him far too valuable to let slip away during the January transfer window.

December 2024 set the tone for Zirkzee’s United story: a two-goal performance against Everton followed by humiliation against Newcastle, where he was substituted after just 33 minutes to the audible mockery of his own supporters. Fast forward a year, and Zirkzee’s status is still complex. He had not started a match until late November, prompting whispers among fans that his future at the club could be limited.

But when called upon, Zirkzee has the ability to turn matches on their head. Against Crystal Palace, he transformed a dull performance into a hero’s moment, scoring a brilliant goal and assisting in the winning play. Fans in the away end at Selhurst Park even chanted his name to the tune of Daft Punk’s “One More Time” — a reminder of how quickly perceptions can change.

Zirkzee’s career at United has often followed this pattern. After being jeered at Newcastle, he bounced back with a winning penalty against Arsenal in the FA Cup and scored in crucial Europa League away games against Real Sociedad and Lyon. He became a cult figure among supporters despite limited opportunities.

Yet, his role remains precarious. Following injuries and the arrival of £200 million worth of new attacking talent, Zirkzee has struggled to secure consistent playing time. Reports of frustration and interest from other clubs have surfaced, with Everton, West Ham, and several Italian teams, including Roma, monitoring his situation.

However, selling Zirkzee in January carries high risk and low reward. Interest from Roma is loan-based with conditions tied to Champions League qualification — a deal that provides United little certainty or immediate benefit. His flashes of brilliance, coupled with his potential to be a difference-maker in key moments, suggest that Manchester United should think twice before allowing him to depart.

In a squad with an already-packed attacking roster, Zirkzee’s unpredictability might just be exactly what United needs to turn tight games in their favor. For a player capable of producing moments of magic out of nothing, letting him go in January would be a gamble United cannot afford to take.

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