Real Madrid staff consider Super Cup clash against Atletico Madrid an ‘early final’ | OneFootball

Thanks to the recent 5-1 win over Real Betis, Real Madrid have now secured four back-to-back wins in all competitions, alleviating some of the pressure off Xabi Alonso.

However, the job is far from over, and the Spaniard will face his biggest hurdle as Real Madrid take on Atletico Madrid this week, in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup.

This promises to be a make-or-break game for Alonso, knowing an exit from the semifinal stage of the Super Cup could lead to his sacking.

Real Madrid coaching staff considering this an ‘early final’

According to The Athletic, voices inside the Real Madrid locker room describe the upcoming derby as an “early final.”

The coaching staff, which has taken note of the team’s drastic improvement in set-pieces lately, is aware that the intensity and stakes of a Madrid derby, especially in a competition such as the Spanish Super Cup, carry the weight of a title decider.

Can Xabi Alonso save his job by clinching the Spanish Super Cup? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

They are hopeful that the resounding win against Betis, which featured a hat-trick from academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia, will serve as a vital catalyst to propel the team through this high-pressure tournament.

However, the atmosphere at Valdebebas is described as gloomy despite the recent win. The shadow of the 5-2 defeat to Atletico in the first derby of the season back in September still looms large.

Even the coaching staff admit there is significant uncertainty regarding Xabi Alonso’s future. While he has secured four consecutive wins, the pressure of a potential trophy and the optics of losing to Diego Simeone’s side again could be decisive.

The same voices are unsure what decision the club might take regarding the manager’s continuity should Real Madrid fall short against their city rivals on Thursday.