Thibaut Courtois Opens Up On ‘Better Or Worse’ Moments With Xabi Alonso After Crucial Real Madrid Win

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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