Real Madrid Players Rally Behind Coach Xabi Alonso After Victory

Kylian Mbappé has emphasized the need for Real Madrid’s players to “protect” their coach, Xabi Alonso, following a thrilling 4-3 victory against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga echoed this sentiment, urging the team to “help” their coach, who had faced mounting pressure after three consecutive winless matches. Concerns had arisen regarding Alonso’s rapport with key players, notably Vinícius Júnior, who has been benched four times this season.

Despite the external noise, Mbappé maintained that the team and coaching staff are “united.” This was evident during the post-match celebrations, where Vinícius embraced Alonso on the pitch at Karaiskakis Stadium.

“I understand that people talk a lot from the outside. It’s natural for speculation to arise when you play for Real Madrid,” Mbappé stated. “We must protect our players, our coach, and the entire staff. Ultimately, we are all in this together.”

Prior to facing Olympiacos, Madrid had suffered a 1-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield, followed by a 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano and a 2-2 draw at Elche in La Liga, with Mbappé having not scored in those matches.

“Winning again was crucial for us. We recognize that three winless games are too many for a team of our caliber. There are certainly areas for improvement… I won’t say we are against those who talk from the outside, but we are united, and I know our fans support us,” Mbappé added.

Camavinga further expressed his commitment to supporting Alonso, stating, “We will do everything possible to assist our coach. The first step towards that is to secure wins. It is true that our recent performances have not met expectations, but we must focus on the team’s mentality and keep pushing forward.”

With this victory, Madrid has accumulated 12 points and secured fifth place in the Champions League standings as they prepare to face Manchester City on December 10.

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni commented on the significance of the win, saying, “We are pleased. Winning this match was essential, especially if we aim to finish in the top eight. We must continue like this; while things may not be perfect, it is far better to leave with three additional points.”