Real Madrid Faces Critical Test After Turbulent 2025
Real Madrid concluded 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at the Bernabeu, yet the triumph failed to mask the underlying tensions that have plagued the club throughout recent weeks. Coach Xabi Alonso's post-match comments about going on holiday reflected relief rather than celebration, highlighting the pressure surrounding his position.
Challenging Start to 2026
The Spanish giants enter 2026 facing immediate challenges. Their next opponent, Real Betis, arrives unbeaten in 14 matches, representing a unique achievement among European elite clubs. Following that encounter, Madrid must navigate a Supercopa semifinal against Atletico Madrid, the same team that inflicted a damaging 5-2 defeat at the Metropolitano earlier this season.
The current atmosphere at the club mirrors previous periods of uncertainty that ultimately led to transformative changes. Historical precedent suggests that Madrid's most successful campaigns have often emerged from periods of crisis.
Historical Precedents for Recovery
The transition from 2015 to 2016 provides a compelling example. Under Rafa Benitez, Real Madrid struggled despite relatively acceptable results, recording only three defeats in 24 games. However, the disconnect between coach and players, combined with elimination from the Copa del Rey due to improper player alignment, created an unsustainable situation.
Benitez's dismissal on January 4, 2016, following a 2-2 draw at Mestalla, paved the way for Zinedine Zidane's appointment. The French coach's debut featured a convincing 5-0 victory over Deportivo and ultimately led to Champions League glory against Atletico Madrid in Milan.
Similarly, the 1999-2000 season demonstrated Madrid's capacity for dramatic turnarounds. Under Vicente del Bosque, who replaced John Toshack in November 1999, the club recovered from fourth from bottom position in December to claim the Champions League title in Paris against Valencia.
The 1998 Template
The 1997-98 campaign offers another instructive case study. Despite winning the Champions League, Jupp Heynckes faced significant internal discord. Former president Lorenzo Sanz later revealed that the decision to replace Heynckes had been made months before the European triumph, emphasizing that short-term success could not resolve fundamental structural issues.
Former player Predrag Mijatovic recounted how player-coach relationships had deteriorated to the point where young Raul Gonzalez was drawing tactical formations on blackboards during team meetings, highlighting the complete breakdown in traditional hierarchies.
Current Situation Assessment
While historical precedent suggests Madrid possesses the institutional strength to overcome current difficulties, past recoveries have typically required significant changes in leadership structure. The club's ability to transform crisis into triumph remains one of its defining characteristics, yet such transformations rarely occur without decisive action from the board.
The coming weeks will prove crucial in determining whether Xabi Alonso can navigate the current challenges or whether Madrid will once again turn to new leadership to restore their competitive edge. The club's rich history of dramatic recoveries provides both hope and a template for potential change.