Xabi Alonso still walking a tightrope despite Real Madrid Copa del Rey progress | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s narrow victory over Talavera in the Copa del Rey may have secured progression, but it has done little to calm the growing uncertainty surrounding Xabi Alonso’s future. 

According to a recent report from MARCA, the club’s hierarchy remains unconvinced, with serious doubts persisting about the direction of the project despite the positive result.

While results often act as the first line of defence for any Real Madrid coach, this time they are not telling the full story. 

Inside the club, there is a clear concern that even when wins arrive, the football itself is not evolving. 

The feeling is that the team is failing to show signs of long-term growth, structure, or identity.

Alonso is still under pressure

The pressure on Alonso intensified after back-to-back defeats against Celta Vigo and Manchester City, results that placed him firmly under scrutiny. 

Those losses marked a turning point, pushing the coach into a situation where every match became a test of survival. 

Xabi Alonso’s job is still not secured at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Wins against Alaves and Talavera have helped steady the ship on the surface, but internally, they have not provided the reassurance the board was hoping for.

Now, the upcoming clash against Sevilla looms large. It is viewed as another decisive checkpoint. 

Even if Real Madrid manage to go past Sevilla, the Spanish Super Cup appears to be the real line in the sand. 

Within the club, there is a sense that only a trophy, not just improved performances, can provide the definitive lift needed to stabilise the season.

Although there has been a noticeable change in the players’ performances, Alonso’s tactical plan is struggling to take root. 

The team lacks clarity in its ideas, plays without conviction, and repeatedly looks vulnerable, even in matches they eventually win.