Alonso’s perfect start puts Real Madrid on historic path | OneFootball

Tasked with the formidable challenge of succeeding Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has wasted little time making his mark.

The former midfield maestro has opened the season with a string of victories, etched his name into the record books, and could yet eclipse a benchmark set by Vanderlei Luxemburgo during his tenure in the Spanish capital.

A commanding 4–1 win over Levante preserved Madrid’s perfect start in La Liga, placing them top of the table with six wins from six.

It is a feat achieved only six times in the club’s history. On three of the previous occasions (1961/62, 1968/69 and 1987/88), Los Blancos went on to lift the title; on two others, they faltered - finishing second in 1958/59 after a bruising 4–0 defeat to Barcelona in their seventh match, and again in 2022/23, when a draw with Osasuna brought their run to an end.

Madrid’s best-ever start in the league came in 1968/69, with nine straight wins before a stalemate against Pontevedra halted their momentum.

Across all competitions, the bar is set at 11 consecutive victories, achieved in both 1961/62 and 1968/69. Having also opened their Champions League campaign with a win, Alonso’s side may yet have that record firmly in their sights.