Xabi Alonso Walking a Precarious Path at Real Madrid Amidst Squad Support.

No forward in Los Blancos' annals had gone scoreless for as extended a period as Rodrygo, but eventually he was freed and he had a statement to broadcast, executed for the cameras. The Brazilian, who had failed to score in an extended drought and was starting only his fifth appearance this campaign, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Pep Guardiola's side. Then he turned and sprinted towards the bench to hug Xabi Alonso, the boss in the spotlight for whom this could signal an even greater liberation.

“This is a difficult time for him, just as it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Performances are not going our way and I sought to show everyone that we are as one with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo addressed the media, the lead had been taken from them, a setback ensuing. City had come back, going 2-1 ahead with “minimal”, Alonso noted. That can happen when you’re in a “delicate” state, he continued, but at least Madrid had fought back. On this occasion, they could not complete a recovery. Endrick, introduced off the bench having played 11 minutes all season, struck the woodwork in the final seconds.

A Delayed Verdict

“It wasn’t enough,” Rodrygo admitted. The question was whether it would be enough for Alonso to hold onto his position. “We didn't view it as [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated, but that was how it had been presented externally, and how it was perceived internally. “We have shown that we’re behind the manager: we have played well, offered 100%,” Courtois added. And so the final decision was postponed, consequences suspended, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla looming.

A Different Kind of Setback

Madrid had been defeated at home for the second time in four days, perpetuating their poor form to two wins in eight, but this was a more respectable. This was Manchester City, rather than a La Liga opponent. Streamlined, they had actually run, the most obvious and most critical criticism not levelled at them in this instance. With multiple players out injured, they had lost only to a opportunistic strike and a spot-kick, almost securing something at the final whistle. There were “many of very good things” about this performance, the head coach said, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, not this time.

The Fans' Muted Reception

That was not always the full story. There were spells in the latter period, as frustration grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had jeered. At the conclusion, some of supporters had repeated that, although there was likewise sporadic clapping. But for the most part, there was a subdued procession to the doors. “It's to be expected, we understand it,” Rodrygo noted. Alonso remarked: “It’s nothing that doesn't occur before. And there were instances when they applauded too.”

Dressing Room Unity Is Strong

“I feel the backing of the players,” Alonso affirmed. And if he backed them, they supported him too, at least towards the public. There has been a coming together, discussions: the coach had accommodated them, arguably more than they had adapted to him, reaching common ground not quite in the center.

The longevity of a remedy that is remains an unresolved issue. One little exchange in the post-match press conference appeared telling. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s suggestion to stick to his principles, Alonso had let that notion to remain unanswered, responding: “I have a good rapport with Pep, we understand each other well and he knows what he is talking about.”

A Foundation of Reaction

Most importantly though, he could be satisfied that there was a fight, a reaction. Madrid’s players had not abandoned their coach during the game and after it they stood up for him. This support may have been theatrical, done out of duty or self-interest, but in this climate, it was important. The intensity with which they played had been as well – even if there is a temptation of the most fundamental of standards somehow being elevated as a kind of success.

In the build-up, Aurélien Tchouaméni had stated firmly the coach had a plan, that their failings were not his fault. “In my view my colleague Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said after full-time. “The sole solution is [for] the players to improve the attitude. The attitude is the key thing and today we have seen a change.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were behind the coach, also replied with a figure: “100%.”

“We persist in striving to figure it out in the changing room,” he said. “We know that the [outside] speculation will not be beneficial so it is about striving to sort it out in there.”

“Personally, I feel the manager has been excellent. I individually have a great rapport with him,” Bellingham added. “After the spell of games where we tied a few, we had some really great conversations behind the scenes.”

“Everything ends in the end,” Alonso mused, possibly talking as much about a difficult spell as his own predicament.