Why Real Madrid’s Consistency Issue Is Not Managerial

Real Madrid’s recent inconsistency has led to familiar criticism aimed at the head coach. It would be a mistake to attribute the issue to management alone misses the broader picture. At a club where dominance is expected every week, any dip in form quickly becomes a talking point in the media and then the locker room. The fluctuations in performance are rooted more in structural and contextual factors than in decisions made on the touchline. This is not a case of tactical confusion or weak leadership under Xabi Alonso, but rather the reality of a squad in transition.

One of the main contributors is squad balance. Real Madrid is blending emerging stars with experienced players who are adapting to new roles. That kind of transition rarely produces steady performances immediately. Chemistry takes time, especially in key areas like midfield control and defensive coordination. Even with a clear game model, execution can vary when partnerships are still forming and responsibilities are shifting week to week. Injuries have further complicated matters. The lack of a consistent starting eleven disrupts rhythm and forces constant adjustments. Pressing structures, defensive spacing, and attacking patterns all suffer when players are rotated out of necessity rather than strategy. Consistency thrives on repetition, and Real Madrid have not had the luxury of maintaining it. These interruptions affect performance levels regardless of who is managing the team.

There is also the issue of evolving roles for key players. Several attackers and midfielders are being asked to take on greater responsibility, sometimes in unfamiliar positions or tactical contexts. That development process naturally includes uneven performances. Opponents are also increasingly focused on neutralizing Madrid’s most dangerous threats, which makes dominance harder to sustain across consecutive matches. Xabi Alonso’s tactical approach should not be mistaken for instability. His flexibility is deliberate, designed to adapt to different opponents and available personnel. While this adaptability can occasionally result in less fluid performances, it is a long-term strength rather than a weakness. A rigid system might look more consistent on paper, but it would limit the squad’s ability to grow and respond to varying challenges.

Finally, the mental and emotional demands of playing or managing for Real Madrid cannot be ignored. Every opponent raises their level, every mistake is magnified, and every match carries pressure. When results don’t come a lot of the time, the coach takes the hit, and Xabi Alonso has been struggling to maintain control of certain parts of the locker room. Xabi Alonso also demands more of offensive players when off the ball to be able to press the opposition, and many stars such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Júnior do not consistently help with this duty, which takes away from the vision that Alonso has tactically for the squad. Maintaining peak intensity across all competitions is extremely difficult, even for elite squads. These psychological factors contribute to inconsistency in ways no manager can fully control. Real Madrid’s inconsistency is not a managerial failure. It is the result of transition, injuries, role adaptation, and the relentless pressure that comes with the club’s stature. As the squad settles and continuity improves, performances are far more likely to stabilize, validating the long-term vision rather than undermining it.