Alonso insists he's united with Real Madrid players and hierarchy

Xabi Alonso has insisted that Real Madrid are united from the president to the players, denying a show of support from the club would help shore up his position. 

Alonso has come under some serious pressure just six months into his tenure as a run of poor results in all competitions saw fans question his place at the club. 

Los Blancos made a lightning start to their LaLiga campaign, winning 10 of their first 11 top-flight matches and creating a five-point gap between themselves and Barcelona. 

However, a run of two wins in their last six league games (D3 L1) have them four points behind Hansi Flick's team heading into the final LaLiga matchday of the year. 

Madrid welcome ninth-placed Sevilla to Estadio Bernabeu this Saturday, with this one of Alonso's most important games since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. 

"No, from the start, from the first conversations we had, we've had a good, close relationship," Alonso said when asked if he'd appreciate a show of support from the club.

"There's trust, respect. With the objectives we have, the demands are high, but it's a long road.

"At Real Madrid, we know we always aspire to everything. We know what the final objective is.

"The way we want to do it is fundamental. We're all united, from the president to the players, to do as well as possible. That's unquestionable."

Madrid have shown an upturn in form of late, beating Alaves in their last league game, but were made to work for their win over third-tier Talavera in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

The Opta supercomputer assigns Alonso's team a 23.1% chance of topping LaLiga in 2025-26 in its season simulations, with Barcelona (71.1%) the favourites for the title. 

"We want to finish well; it's been a tough and difficult period. We want to start 2026 well," Alonso said. 

"The opposition is tough, they demand a lot, they play one-on-one situations, the players go for the tackle a lot. They're good with the ball. We want people to enjoy themselves."

Madrid's recent drop in form has coincided with Vinicius Junior's struggles in front of goal, with the Brazilian netting just five times in 17 LaLiga matches this season. 

He has failed to find the back of the net in his last nine top-flight games, having started the season with nine goal involvements (five goals, four assists) in his first eight matches. 

"We talk to Vini, we work with him," Alonso said. "It's about games, moments. He's been close, I don't doubt it's going to come. Let's hope it's as soon as possible, tomorrow."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has been in red-hot form for Madrid this season, netting 29 goals in 26 appearances across all competitions, with that a total only bettered by Bayern Munich's Harry Kane (32) among players in Europe's top five leagues. 

The Frenchman has also scored the opening goal in 19 LaLiga games for Madrid, which is at least seven more than any other player in the competition since the start of last season. 

Sevilla – Djibril Sow

Should Sevilla pile more pressure on Alonso, they may look towards Djibril Sow, who has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign in front of goal. 

Indeed, he has scored two goals for Sevilla in LaLiga this season from 12 games, equalling his best tally in a single campaign in the competition (two in 30 games in 2024-25).

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL MADRID WIN

Madrid are unbeaten in their last 13 LaLiga matches against Sevilla (W11 D2), since a 3-0 defeat in September 2018, their longest unbeaten run against them in the competition in the 21st century.

But Los Blancos did lose their last LaLiga home game, having won each of the previous 10. They have not lost consecutive home games in the competition since March 2019 under Santiago Solari (L2).

However, in this fixture, they have been impressive at Estadio Bernabeu. Indeed, Madrid are unbeaten in their last 16 home games against Sevilla in LaLiga (W15 D1), since a 4-3 loss in December 2008, and could set their longest unbeaten run at home against them in the top flight.

Sevilla have picked up points in three of their last four visits to teams from Madrid in LaLiga (W1 D2 L1), as many times as in their previous 11 away games against sides from the capital in the competition (W2 D1 L8).

But Sevilla have failed to win any of their last four away games in the top flight (D1 L3), after winning each of their previous three, which is their longest winless away run in the competition this season.

They are also the only team in LaLiga to have scored the exact same number of goals as they have conceded this season (24) – one of only three sides in the top five European leagues this term alongside Eintracht Frankfurt (29) and Cremonese (18).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Madrid – 74.3%

Draw – 15%

Sevilla – 10.7%