Xabi Alonso: A Season Under Scrutiny

Xabi Alonso has been in the spotlight for several weeks now. This is not a new experience for him. Vicente Del Bosque notes that the coaches of Real Madrid often enter with lofty expectations but frequently find themselves embroiled in controversy.

This reality is not lost on Alonso, who, during his playing career, witnessed the tribulations of Manuel Pellegrini, the rise and fall of José Mourinho, and the successes of Carlo Ancelotti. It is understandable that when approached for a significant role, one might believe that circumstances have shifted, and that the assurances of confidence being offered hold substantial weight.