Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Olympiacos has ended a winless streak and dispelled rumors of an internal crisis. Key players like Kylian Mbappe publicly backed coach Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid has emerged from a period of internal turbulence with visible squad solidarity following their dramatic 4-3 victory over Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday. The victory concluded a concerning three-game winless streak across all competitions, during which mounting speculation regarding dressing room discord and managerial stability had intensified.
Crisis Narrative Dispelled Through Victory and Public Support
The winless run had generated widespread speculation about internal discord within the squad and increasing scrutiny over Xabi Alonso’s tactical direction and management approach. Media narratives began circulating regarding alleged unhappiness among players and organizational uncertainty, creating an atmosphere of potential instability.
However, the commanding victory in Greece provided immediate relief to both the team and coaching staff while simultaneously revealing genuine squad cohesion that contradicted crisis narratives circulating during the difficult period.
Public Display of Managerial Support
In the aftermath of the Olympiacos match, key squad members delivered explicit messages of unity and confidence in Alonso’s leadership. Kylian Mbappe articulated the collective sentiment directly to assembled media: “We have to protect the players, the coach and everyone in the squad because, at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.” This statement represented a deliberate public affirmation of squad solidarity against external criticism.
Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni similarly provided supportive commentary to media representatives, reinforcing the message that internal fractious divisions had not materialized or had been resolved through collective commitment to team objectives.
Reconciliation of High-Profile Tensions
The Athens victory facilitated rapprochement between Alonso and two prominent squad members with whom tactical or interpersonal tensions had emerged during his initial managerial tenure: Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior.
Valverde, serving as team vice captain, publicly articulated squad sentiment through social media communication: “After a week of many things being said, we are more united than ever. Having Vini and Mbappe is luck, but having the best team in the world committed is an honour.” This statement publicly acknowledged the recent challenging period while affirming collective resolve moving forward.
Vinicius Junior’s Silent Reconciliation
Vinicius Junior, the 25-year-old Brazilian star, did not issue public statements but demonstrated reconciliation through concrete action. A prolonged embrace between Vinicius and Alonso at match conclusion provided visible evidence of improved relations between the player and coach. The gesture indicated substantive progress following whatever interpersonal friction had previously characterized their relationship.
The Brazilian appears to have recalibrated his stance toward Alonso, while the coach has similarly adjusted his approach toward the star player. Alonso’s awareness that maintaining Vinicius’s full motivation and engagement remains essential for competitive ambitions has evidently influenced his interpersonal management approach.
Strategic Turning Point
The Olympiacos victory represented more than simply ending a winless sequence; it marked a psychological and organizational turning point. The visible squad unity, explicit managerial support from prominent players, and resolution of high-profile interpersonal tensions suggest that Real Madrid has consciously moved beyond the turbulent period and established a renewed commitment to collective objectives.