Thibaut Courtois Exposes the Real Truth Behind Xabi Alonso's Bond with Real Madrid Squad
Real Madrid's shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois dismissed speculation about a player revolt against head coach Xabi Alonso within the squad, sharing details of discussions held to address mounting "pressure" that had developed.
Alonso has faced intense criticism typical of any Real Madrid coach following defeats. The former club legend, who replaced the highly respected Carlo Ancelotti, has had his tactical approach and management style questioned throughout the last three months.
Issues surfaced following Vinicius Junior's visible frustration when substituted during October's El Clásico, with speculation intensifying as poor results appeared to reflect the alleged unrest within Madrid's locker room.
Vinicius was reportedly among several players who remained "skeptical" of Alonso's approach.
Following three consecutive winless fixtures, the brief relief provided by a thrilling 4–3 win against Olympiacos quickly evaporated after last weekend's 1–1 stalemate with relegation-threatened Girona. Alonso managed to quiet critics with a commanding 3–0 victory at Athletic Club during the week, with his standing further bolstered by Courtois' passionate support after the match.
"I believe we consistently support him," Courtois told El Chiringuito regarding his coach. "At the end of the day, we represent Real Madrid, where every minor incident gets amplified tenfold, and we're human beings. Occasionally pressure builds up, but I don't believe there was any conflict between the squad and the manager."
The Belgian keeper—who made several crucial saves against Athletic Club—acknowledged that frank discussions occurred during these tense periods.
"What we've expressed is that we must stop discussing and begin performing," Courtois shared with AS.
"During the opening period against Girona, we didn't deliver sufficiently, and we must recognize that nowadays, without playing at maximum intensity, defeats come easily," he elaborated. "Each match presents unique challenges; Athletic employs a high pressing system that opens up spaces, making it more challenging against sides like Girona or Elche who sit deep defensively.
"We can enhance our performance against defensive teams. It was an excellent collective display. We must continue working hard and maintaining belief. Ultimately, we function as a unit, with everyone fulfilling their responsibilities. Every player delivered an outstanding performance. Everyone aims to contribute to our collective achievements."
Vinicius Jr 'Matter Resolved' for Alonso
A memorable moment from Wednesday's triumph at San Mamés featured Vinicius Jr warmly embracing Alonso upon his substitution in the 77th minute. Madrid held a comfortable 3–0 advantage following another stellar showing from a player who has successfully adapted to a modified tactical role across the previous three matches.
Instead of restricting Vinicius Jr to the left flank where defensive duties were expected, Alonso has repositioned the dynamic attacker into a striking partnership with Kylian Mbappé, supported by a robust midfield quartet featuring Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.
This tactical adjustment has reportedly delighted Vinicius Jr, who believes his abilities are ideally matched to this new responsibility, according to AS. The 25-year-old appears so content with what seems like a renewed opportunity under Alonso that previous conflicts throughout the season have been resolved. The publication suggests the "situation" between Vinicius Jr. and Alonso is now completely "settled."