Xabi Alonso Throws Down the Gauntlet to Real Madrid as Crisis Deepens
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has urged his offensive players to elevate their performance, emphasizing the necessity for "options" beyond Kylian Mbappé.
Los Blancos have emerged from the international hiatus leading La Liga and sitting eighth in the Champions League standings. While they've suffered only two defeats across all tournaments, questions persist regarding their heavy dependence on Mbappé for goal production.
"Following each fixture, we conduct our assessment," Alonso explained. "We failed to find the net against Liverpool or Vallecas. This responsibility doesn't rest solely on Mbappé's shoulders—it's a collective issue. When goals elude us, we must seek solutions that extend beyond our striker. This could involve our wide players contributing from deeper positions or capitalizing on dead-ball situations. The goals will materialize, I'm confident of that."
Mbappé stands as Madrid's sole player to achieve double-figure scoring (18) across 16 matches in all competitions. Vinicius Junior trails significantly with merely five goals in an identical number of outings. While Alonso previously minimized concerns about over-dependence on the French forward, he has now issued a clear challenge.
Real Madrid Top Goalscorers in 2025-26
Player | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
Kylian Mbappé | 16 | 18 |
Vinicius Junior | 16 | 5 |
Arda Güler | 16 | 3 |
Jude Bellingham | 11 | 3 |
Brahim Diaz* | 13 | 1 |
*Four players share Diaz's tally: Álvaro Carreras, Éder Militão, Franco Mastantuono, Eduardo Camavinga
Alonso: We Need Everyone Involved
Alonso emphasized the importance of his team being mentally and physically ready for the demanding winter schedule ahead. With international duties temporarily concluded, Real Madrid faces eight fixtures between Sunday and December 20.
Maintaining squad morale is crucial for preserving their position atop La Liga. This becomes particularly important given recent tensions involving Brazilian stars Vinicius and Rodrygo.
Vinicius seemed to engage in a heated exchange with Alonso following his substitution during Real Madrid's 2–1 El Clásico victory. The Brazilian's response indicated friction between the pair, sparking speculation about a potential summer exit. Alonso stated that any disagreement between them has been "resolved."
Rodrygo, conversely, remains underutilized by Alonso. During the final phase of Carlo Ancelotti's management, reports emerged of the Brazilian's dissatisfaction with being deployed out of position—his limited three starts in La Liga and Champions League have only fueled persistent rumors of a possible departure.
Alonso's future plans for both Brazilian forwards remain unclear, though both have demonstrated significant goal-scoring capabilities in previous campaigns.
Latest on Real Madrid Defensive Injuries
Alonso confirmed prior to the Elche match that Éder Militão will be unavailable, although his adductor problem "isn't severe."
More encouragingly, Antonio Rüdiger is nearing his return to action. Alonso remained cautious about his availability for Elche, instead targeting a possible comeback against Olympiacos in midweek Champions League action.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also anticipated to be completely fit after participating in team training during the November break.