The 2-2 draw in the Elche vs Real Madrid game is being viewed less as a surprising result and more as another warning sign for Xabi Alonso’s project.
The late equaliser from Jude Bellingham may have rescued a point, but it also underlined a growing dependence on individual moments rather than structure. For a team with title ambitions, that’s becoming a recurring theme.
Vini Jr. Left Out in Bold Selection Call in Elche vs Real Madrid Draw
The conversation after the match wasn’t about the scoreline. It was about the decisions. Alonso rotated heavily again, making several changes to the starting lineup and shifting shape. The intention was to keep the squad fresh during a demanding run of fixtures. The outcome, however, was a performance that lacked fluency and control.
Madrid struggled for rhythm throughout long spells of the game. The wing-backs were exposed, the midfield looked disconnected, and the attacking patterns that once seemed automatic have started to fade. Rotating has been one of Alonso’s trademarks this season, praised earlier as bold and forward-thinking. Now, it is inviting questions rather than admiration.
The biggest talking point was his decision to start Vinicius Jr. on the bench, and instead pair Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe.
After the match, Alonso insisted that it was nothing more than a tactical decision, stating: “Viní on the bench? I spoke to him, and he understood his role today. He’s invested in the team.”
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Alonso Urges Patience Despite Growing Scrutiny
Alonso’s tone after the match reflected both frustration and calm. He admitted that the team is not performing to its usual level but insisted there is no internal panic. He described the situation as part of a longer-term process and emphasised the commitment and spirit within the squad.
“Three matches without a win? That’s football,” he told reporters. “We’re not happy because we always want to win, but there are still many matches to play.
“The team hasn’t fallen apart, the team is still competing. The results and the play can be improved because we’re self-critical. It’s in the face of adversity that we have to respond.”
That stance may help internally, but outside, patience is thinner. Madrid sit only a point above Barcelona on the La Liga table, and the safety net they once had has disappeared.
In the Elche vs Real Madrid 2-2 draw, there were also moments that added to the irritation around the result.
Elche’s goalkeeper was involved in an incident with Vini Jr. moments before Madrid’s equaliser, leading to debates about whether play should have been stopped. The late red card shown to Elche only added to the sense of chaos rather than clarity.
However, none of it changes the bigger picture: Madrid needed more than a dramatic finish in the Elche vs Real Madrid draw. They needed control.
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Stability Now the Defining Test
The question going forward is simple: can Alonso turn performances into consistency?
There is no doubt that the squad has the talent. What is missing is continuity – in selection, in structure, and in identity.
As the first half of the 2025/26 La Liga season nears its end, the next few fixtures will shape how Alonso is judged. Early experimentation is accepted. But once the league tightens and the Champions League returns, the margin for error drops sharply.
Madrid can no longer afford to rely on moments of escape. They need stability, and they need it soon.
If Madrid’s leadership is as strong as the La Liga table suggests, the next few weeks will prove it. If not, the cracks that appeared in Elche won’t stay small for long.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 23.11.2025
