“We Support Him 100 Percent” Xabi Alonso Backed After Champions League Defeat

Real Madrid’s dressing room closed ranks around Xabi Alonso on Tuesday night, with senior players publicly pledging full support for their head coach after a 2 to 1 loss to Manchester City at the Bernabéu. The message was immediate and emphatic, raising fresh questions about what comes next for a manager already under intense scrutiny.

Thibaut Courtois delivered the clearest endorsement. Speaking minutes after the final whistle, the goalkeeper insisted the squad is united behind Alonso and pointed to the team’s effort as proof. His remarks added weight to a story that has rapidly shifted from a disappointing result to a wider debate about the coach’s future.

The defeat marked an uncomfortable milestone. Alonso has become the fastest Real Madrid manager to record two Champions League losses, reaching that number in just six matches. The previous quickest was Santiago Solari, a comparison that will not comfort supporters who fear déjà vu. With Madrid failing to hit their usual European standards this season, each setback feels more consequential than the last.

Courtois framed the performance as a show of loyalty. The veteran keeper said the team is “with Xabi Alonso” and “supports him 100 percent,” adding that their commitment was visible on the pitch. He emphasized the squad’s willingness to give everything for their manager, a sentiment aimed at quashing speculation of internal doubts.

Such statements matter in this moment. When players of Courtois’s stature speak, the message reverberates far beyond the mixed zone. It signals to club officials, the media and supporters that the dressing room is aligned. But the subtext is equally important. Public backing often emerges when pressure reaches its peak. Is this unity a sign of resilience or a sign of strain?

Madrid’s situation is complicated by expectations that rarely allow breathing space. European pedigree carries weight, and any stumble in the Champions League magnifies tension. For a coach still in the early stages of his tenure, two defeats in the group phase raise uncomfortable questions about tactical direction, squad balance and long-term planning.

The implications extend beyond a single result. Will Real’s leadership view these setbacks as part of a natural adjustment period or as evidence that the project requires a reset? Does the public support from senior players make Alonso’s position more secure, or does it underscore how fragile things have become?

As the club prepares for its next fixtures, one reality is clear. The narrative around Xabi Alonso has shifted sharply after the Manchester City loss, and every match from here carries added significance. Madrid’s players have declared where they stand. The next decision belongs to the club, and the stakes are only rising.