Alonso Walking a Fine Path at Real Madrid Amidst Dressing Room Backing.

No forward in Los Blancos' history had experienced without a goal for as long as Rodrygo, but at last he was unleashed and he had a statement to broadcast, acted out for the world to see. The Brazilian, who had failed to score in nine months and was commencing only his fifth appearance this campaign, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to hand his team the lead against the English champions. Then he turned and charged towards the touchline to hug Xabi Alonso, the boss under pressure for whom this could represent an even greater release.

“This is a difficult period for him, similar to how it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Things aren't working out and I aimed to demonstrate everyone that we are together with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo addressed the media, the advantage had been taken from them, a setback ensuing. City had reversed the score, going 2-1 ahead with “minimal”, Alonso observed. That can happen when you’re in a “sensitive” situation, he continued, but at least Madrid had reacted. On this occasion, they could not complete a turnaround. Endrick, introduced off the bench having played very little all season, struck the bar in the final seconds.

A Delayed Sentence

“It proved insufficient,” Rodrygo admitted. The dilemma was whether it would be adequate for Alonso to keep his position. “We didn’t feel that [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was perceived internally. “We demonstrated that we’re supporting the coach: we have performed creditably, offered 100%,” Courtois concluded. And so the axe was withheld, any action pending, with games against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A Distinct Type of Setback

Madrid had been beaten at home for the second time in four days, continuing their poor form to a mere pair of successes in eight, but this seemed a somewhat distinct. This was Manchester City, not a domestic opponent. Stripped down, they had competed with intensity, the easiest and most critical accusation not aimed at them in this instance. With eight men out injured, they had lost only to a scrambled finish and a penalty, nearly earning something at the final whistle. There were “many of very good things” about this performance, the boss argued, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, not this time.

The Fans' Muted Reaction

That was not completely the complete picture. There were spells in the second half, as discontent grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had whistled. At full time, some of supporters had continued, although there was in addition pockets of appreciation. But mostly, there was a quiet stream to the doors. “That’s normal, we comprehend it,” Rodrygo said. Alonso added: “There's nothing that hasn’t happened before. And there were moments when they applauded too.”

Player Backing Stands Firm

“I feel the support of the players,” Alonso declared. And if he backed them, they backed him too, at least towards the public. There has been a rapprochement, discussions: the coach had listened to them, arguably more than they had accommodated him, reaching a point not exactly in the middle.

How lasting a remedy that is continues to be an unresolved issue. One small incident in the post-match press conference appeared notable. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s counsel to stick to his principles, Alonso had let that idea to remain unanswered, replying: “I have a good connection with Pep, we know each other well and he knows what he is saying.”

A Foundation of Fight

Above all though, he could be pleased that there was a spirit, a response. Madrid’s players had not let Alonso fall during the game and after it they defended him. This support may have been theatrical, done out of obligation or mutual survival, but in this context, it was significant. The commitment with which they played had been too – even if there is a danger of the most basic of requirements somehow being framed as a kind of success.

The previous day, Aurélien Tchouaméni had insisted the coach had a vision, that their failings were not his doing. “In my view my teammate Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said post-match. “The key is [for] the players to improve the approach. The attitude is the crucial element and today we have witnessed a difference.”

Jude Bellingham, pressed if they were behind the coach, also replied with a figure: “100%.”

“We’re still attempting to figure it out in the changing room,” he said. “We understand that the [outside] chatter will not be beneficial so it is about attempting to sort it out in there.”

“I think the manager has been excellent. I individually have a strong connection with him,” Bellingham stated. “Following the run of games where we drew a few, we had some really great conversations among ourselves.”

“All things passes in the end,” Alonso concluded, maybe referring as much about a difficult spell as everything.