Álvaro Arbeloa's debut as Real Madrid coach ended in a resounding Copa del Rey failure. Los Blancos unexpectedly fell in Albacete (3-2) in the round of 16 after a very poor performance in both attack and defense, lacking ideas and physicality. The match was decided by a goal in the final minute of stoppage time. Jefté, who had come on in the second half, became the local hero on a night that the fans who packed the Carlos Belmonte stadium will not easily forget. In just four days, Los Blancos lost two titles: the Supercopa and the Copa del Rey.

When Barcelona fans think of Álvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Piqué probably comes to mind. During one of the most tense periods in football history between Barça and Real Madrid, the Barcelona defender mocked his Real Madrid counterpart, saying they weren't friends, simply... "acquaintances"He paused sarcastically after the "cone." This was Arbeloa's nickname, which Piqué, in a war of words at the end of 2015, blurted out during a press conference. A decade later, the now-retired footballer becomes the new Real Madrid coach, replacing Xabi Alonso.

Xabi Alonso is no longer the manager of Real Madrid. This is the brief statement in which the club, presided over by Florentino Pérez, explains the firm decision: "Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as manager of the first team. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridistas. Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives." His replacement as manager of the first team will be Álvaro Arbeloa, until now the manager of Real Madrid Castilla and a close friend of Alonso, with whom he forged a strong relationship when they played together under José Mourinho.

Xabi Alonso is starting to look like Pedro Sánchez: "There's still a long way to go. You [journalists] paint it one way, but we have to be very calm because it's a very long road." A manual of resilience.

There's no sign of the "unstoppable force" that Xabi Alonso promised to make Real Madrid into on the day he was presented as the brand-new manager. Although he never had Florentino Pérez's full confidence, neither when he was hired nor during the numerous disputes with Vinícius that the Basque coach has had so far, some within the inner circle of the all-powerful Real Madrid president suggest that he's keen to see him succeed. suggest that he opt for a more methodical coach. This meant changing the paradigm of recent years, in which Real Madrid had had great coaches but less interventionist and more managerial, like Carlo Ancelotti, with whom the team completely lost its way last season, or Zinedine Zidane. In fact, the former French footballer and Florentino Pérez's favorite is one of the names most frequently mentioned by the Madrid-based sports press as a potential replacement. The other leading candidate is the reserve team coach and also a former Real Madrid player, Álvaro Arbeloa, who, at the same time, maintains a close relationship with Alonso. After suffering two defeats in just four days at the Santiago Bernabéu – the first on Sunday against Celta Vigo (0-2) with the stadium booing, and the second against Manchester City (1-2) this Wednesday – the coach is on thin ice. For now, they've saved their skin because Real Madrid redeemed themselves against the English team, despite losing again.

Pep Guardiola is known for stirring things up before matches against Real Madrid. He did it back in 2011 before infuriating José Mourinho, whom he called "the fucking boss," and he did it again this Tuesday before playing Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu in a match that could negatively impact the future of Real Madrid's coach, Xabi Alonso. When questioned about the situation of the Tolosa-born coach, who has been under intense scrutiny after the poor results of recent weeks, Guardiola criticized Florentino Pérez's stance. "If the hierarchy wants to give power to the players, then the players will have the power," the Santpedor native declared, before immediately offering the following advice to Alonso: "He should just keep to himself. And since he won't be peeing cologne, he'll be fine."

Xabi Alonso could think of nothing better to say after his team's dismal performance against Celta Vigo than: "Thank goodness we play again on Wednesday. The best thing is that the Champions League is coming up." Only he could think it was a brilliant idea to face a Manchester City side without any major injuries, on a good run, needing a win because they lost to Leverkusen with a starting eleven full of substitutes and managed by a certain Pep Guardiola, the bogeyman in the recurring nightmares of most Real Madrid fans. It sounds like a fantastic plan, indeed. Especially considering how Real Madrid is playing: horrendous.

A week of resurrection for Atlético de Madrid, capable of defeating Real Madrid in a beautiful derby, with chances at both ends. Xabi Alonso's first defeat as manager in La Liga opens the door for Barça, who could snatch top spot from a team that has been overwhelmed by the intensity of the Colchoneros. It's been 75 years since Atlético Madrid led by five goals. The last time was in 1950, in a 3-6 win at Chamartín when Helenio Herrera was managing Atlético. "We had to enjoy this game," said Simeone, who was breathing heavily. If just a few days ago Atlético were losing 2-1 to Rayo Vallecano and seemed eliminated from the title race, they now climb up the table thanks to the comeback against Rayo Vallecano and today's well-deserved victory. Six points from two derbies in five days.

"Reality check," is the headline given by several media outlets following the news from the Whites. This is the feeling in Madrid after losing 4-0 to Luis Enrique's PSG.. Xabi Alonso, who in a few weeks had managed to establish himself as the savior, was harshly criticized by the Spanish press after a thrashing that leaves them without a chance of playing in the Club World Cup final, which will be played between Chelsea and PSG.

Xabi Alonso returns to Real Madrid to be the antidote to Hansi Flick. The Basque player returns to a club where he had been under José Mourinho to put a spoke in the wheel of Guardiola's Barça, a period in which he left behind his reputation as a football intellectual, as he dealt out blows when needed. In recent years, Alonso has regained his reputation as a person who takes care of the game thanks to his good work on the Bayer Leverkusen bench, where he was able to halt Bayern's winning streak in the 2023/24 season without losing a single league game.