Xabi Alonso addresses his departure from Real Madrid | OneFootball

Under pressure rarely seen since his arrival in Madrid, Xabi Alonso faces a simple reality: only a victory against Manchester City on Wednesday night can slow the storm currently battering Real. The defeat to Celta Vigo has reignited doubts, widened the gap with Barça, and fueled rumors of a divided locker room.

In the Spanish capital, talk of a successor is already swirling, with names like Jürgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane, and Álvaro Arbeloa being floated insistently. In this electric atmosphere, the Basque coach chose to strike an optimistic tone, insisting his squad remains fully focused:

Asked about his relationship with the players, Alonso dismissed speculation and defended the squad's unity. "We're all in the same boat," he declared, stressing the need to turn things around against City. At his side, Aurélien Tchouaméni echoed those sentiments: