⚡“Xabi Alonso Under Fire: After Humiliating 5-2 Derby Collapse, Can Real Madrid Survive the Champions League Trap Ahead?”⚡
The shockwaves from Real Madrid’s 5-2 demolition at the hands of Atletico Madrid are still reverberating across Spain and beyond. For weeks, Los Blancos looked unstoppable, marching through the league with a perfect record. But Saturday night’s collapse at the Metropolitano has torn open wounds that many believed had been sealed under rookie boss Xabi Alonso. Now, as Real Madrid prepare to travel thousands of miles to face Champions League debutants Kairat Almaty, the tension inside the club is at breaking point.
Alonso, who has been hailed as the future mastermind of Madrid’s next great era, suddenly finds himself walking a dangerous tightrope. Critics point to his tactical naivety in the derby, questioning why Jude Bellingham—still recovering from injury—was risked in such a high-stakes match. Social media exploded with fans blasting the decision, with hashtags like #AlonsoOut trending within hours. Others, however, defended the young manager, insisting this defeat was nothing more than a painful but necessary lesson on the road to greatness.
What makes the situation even more intriguing is the opponent waiting for Real in the Champions League. On paper, Kairat Almaty should be a straightforward task. But Alonso himself admitted the Kazakh side are “well-organised, direct, and full of momentum.” Add the exhausting travel, the bitter cold of Almaty, and the pressure of a restless fanbase, and suddenly this “easy” fixture looks like a potential landmine.
The real drama, however, lies in the dressing room. Reports hint at whispers of doubt creeping in after the derby humiliation. Alonso insists his players are united, saying “talks are happening” and the team is still building its identity. Yet many fans can’t help but wonder: is the project already showing cracks, or is this merely the storm before the calm?
One thing is certain—every move Alonso makes from here will be scrutinized. A dominant victory in Kazakhstan could restore faith and silence critics. But another slip-up, especially against a team few outside Eastern Europe expected to even reach this stage, could turn a bruising derby defeat into a full-blown crisis at the Santiago Bernabéu.
