Alonso: Real Madrid Isn’t Crumbling, Vinicius Remains Steady
24 November 2025
Match Recap
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso voiced his frustration after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Elche, stressing that the team is going through a spell of poor results, but that does not reflect a collapse in form or the fighting spirit inside the locker room.
Madrid were held to a draw at Elche’s Martinez Valero in La Liga's Round 13 on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s goals came from a scorer in the 78th minute and Jude Bellingham in the 87th, while Elche struck twice through Alex Vivas in the 53rd and Alvaro Rodríguez in the 84th.
Alonso, quoted by AS, said: “After a good run of results, a spell came when we did not get what we wanted. We know what we seek and we must move forward without hesitation. We are not satisfied; this club demands victories, but the road is long.”
He didn’t shy away from addressing critics who spoke of a collapse, replying: “The team hasn’t collapsed. We continue competing, and we understand that every match is played in a different context.”
He added: “Yes, results govern, but the spirit the players show is positive. At Real Madrid we live with pressure and criticism, and we know how to respond.”
On the relationship inside the squad, Alonso appeared confident in the growing harmony: “Communication is improving day by day. We’ve spent more time together, our understanding has deepened. We go through everything as one unit — we celebrate wins and we hurt in setbacks. Now we must turn this feeling into a strong push before facing Olympiakos in the Champions League.”
He defended the tactical call to deploy Fran Garcia in an unfamiliar position: “This role isn’t new for him. We wanted more width on the flanks and to try to change the shape of play. The unfortunate moment came right after the draw when we conceded a goal that shifted the rhythm, even though the moment favored us to swing the result back.”
Regarding Vinicius Junior, who again started on the bench, Alonso insisted there were no concerns about his commitment or discipline: “I’m not worried. I’ve spoken a lot with Vinicius and he knows his role well. We’ve used this approach in other matches. The players all have the desire and energy to restore the positive rhythm.”
Asked about the main worry of the match, Alonso noted: “After the 1-1 draw we lacked the necessary continuity to keep pressing. In the first half the team built up attacks well. The players didn’t give up, but we needed more impulse in the decisive moment.”
With this draw, Real Madrid sit on 32 points at the top of La Liga, one point clear of Barcelona, while Elche rise to 16 points in 13th place.
Match events
The start was bold from Real Madrid, with Rodrygo testing the goalkeeper early in the third minute. Mbappe was close to breaking the deadlock after a pass from Asensio, but his effort skimmed the post.
Elche threatened in the 13th minute when Germán Valera sent in a header that drifted just wide. Elche’s best moment came in the 16th minute after a quick break that ended with Rafa Mir, but Courtois produced a crucial save. Madrid pressed with set pieces, and Asensio’s header around the 20th minute nearly hit the target, with Valera again involved on the visitors’ horizon. A later Turkish attempt by Arda Güler flew high in the 24th minute, and the ensuing exchanges kept the first half scoreless at the break.
The second half began with Madrid pushing for a breakthrough; Rodrygo forced a save from the Elche goalkeeper in the 46th minute. Elche struck in the 52nd minute through a clever team move that started with Alex Bivas and Germán Valera, with Bivas finishing after a smart touch from a teammate. Madrid responded quickly, and in the 71st minute a counterattack set up a chance for Bellingham after a feed from Vinicius, but the finish came with a block from the defense.
Madrid finally found the levelling goal from a corner in the 78th minute, with Asensio delivering and Huesin guiding it into the net to make it 1-1. In the 83rd minute Alvaro Rodríguez stunned Madrid by restoring Elche’s lead with a first touch after space opened on the flank, finishing decisively in the far corner. The drama peaked in the 87th minute when Bellingham struck again, firing home after a sustained move on the edge of the box to make it 2-2. The late pressure from Madrid failed to clinch a winner, and the game finished all square at 2-2.
