Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso faces intense scrutiny ahead of the Sevilla match, with his future hinging on a convincing performance and result.
MADRID: Under-pressure Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso (pic) hopes to secure his position over the Christmas period with a vital La Liga victory against Sevilla.
Speculation over Alonso’s future intensified after a recent loss to Manchester City in the Champions League.
His team’s battling performance in that 2-1 defeat temporarily eased the pressure, but unconvincing wins since have left his situation precarious.
The team’s form has been carried by Kylian Mbappé, who has scored 28 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions this season.
Mbappé, who missed the City match with a broken finger, played full matches against Alavés and third-tier Talavera de la Reina last week.
He scored three goals and provided an assist as Madrid narrowly won both matches 2-1 and 3-2 respectively.
The French star now has 58 goals for the calendar year, just one short of Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record set in 2013.
Despite maintaining a four-point gap to leaders Barcelona in the league, Alonso’s over-reliance on Mbappé is a major concern for president Florentino Perez.
“The numbers are what they are but Rodrygo has scored in both of the previous two games and we need more guys who have got that clinical edge,” Alonso said.
He added that the sole focus is now on Sevilla, stating, “We need the three points, we want a positive feeling around the place and to close the year on a high.”
Real Madrid host mid-table Sevilla on Saturday, unbeaten against them in the league for over seven years.
Sevilla have shown they can upset elite teams, famously beating Barcelona 4-1 earlier this season.
Alonso will be desperate to avoid a similar shock result ahead of the winter break.
His immediate future at the Bernabéu may depend on not just victory, but a convincing performance against Sevilla.
In other weekend fixtures, league leaders Barcelona visit third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
Fourth-placed Atlético Madrid travel to face struggling Girona. – AFP
