A locker-room war at Real Madrid ahead of a critical Champions League test
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 26.11.25. | 14:55
Fractions, tension and Xabi Alonso under fire as Los Blancos chase the last-16
Old ghosts have returned to Madrid: too much drama, too many egos, factions everywhere. And while Real face a crucial Champions League trip to Olympiacos tonight (11 pm), Spain is buzzing about a locker room split that refuses to stay hidden.
According to El Partidazo de COPE, the dressing room has cracked in two. On one side stands a frustrated Vinicius Junior; on the other, a group firmly aligned with Xabi Alonso - Courtois, Huijsen, Carreras, Guler and Mbappe.
Behind Vinicius are Valverde, Rodrygo, Brahim, Endrick and Mendy. The rest float somewhere in the middle, unsure what to believe and not liking any of it. The positions of Camavinga, Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham remain a mystery, only adding to the fog.
Alonso poured fuel on the fire by leaving Vinicius out of the starting XI for the fourth time this season. The Brazilian has reportedly refused to even discuss a new contract until the conflict is settled and his role is guaranteed. But here's the twist: Xabi Alonso himself, barely six months into the job, is also under scrutiny. Still, Madrid's board publicly backed him. "He's the boss and his decisions are the only ones that matter."
The coach also stayed composed.
"Managing egos is just as important as tactics. This is Real Madrid - you have to navigate every storm," Alonso said, adding that Mourinho, Ancelotti and Pellegrini faced similar turbulence.
Despite the noise, Real Madrid are well positioned: nine points from 12 and a clear path toward the top 24. Olympiacos, meanwhile, are desperate - two draws, two defeats, and almost out of time.
Their coach, Jose Luis Mendilibar, who knows Madrid all too well, struck a pragmatic tone:
"If they beat us, let it be because they're better, not because we hand them the chance. They say Real Madrid are 'in crisis', but they're top of La Liga. Alonso and Vinicius will resolve it."
Chaos in Madrid, fire in Piraeus - and 90 minutes ahead that may decide much more than group standings.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 5
Tuesday
Ajax - Benfica 0-2 (0-1)
/Dahl 6, Barreiro 90/
Galatasaray - St. Gilloise 0-1 (0-0)
/David 57/
Bodo - Juventus 2-3 (1-0)
/Blomberg 27, Fet 87(p) - Openda 48, McKennie 59, David 90+1/
Chelsea - Barcelona 3-0 (1-0)
/Kounde 17(og), Estevao 55, Delap 73/
Dortmund - Villareal 4-0 (1-0)
/Guriassy 45+2, 54, Adeyemi 58, Svensson 90+5/
Manchester City - Leverkusen 0-2 (0-1)
/Grimaldo 23, Schick 54/
Napoli - Qarabag 2-0 (0-0)
/McTominay 65, Jankovic 72(og)/
Olympique Marseille - Newcastle 2-1 (0-1)
/Aubameyang 46, 51 - Barnes 6/
Slavia Praha - Athletic Bilbao 0-0
Wednesday
20.45: (1.35) Copenhagen (5.50) Kairat Almaty (10.0)
20.45: (5.10) Paphos (3.70) Monaco (1.70)
23.00: (2.25) Arsenal (3.65) Bayern (3.20)
23.00: (2.35) Atl.Madrid (3.50) Inter (3.20)
23.00: (2.60) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.50) Atalanta (2.85)
23.00: (1.35) Liverpool (5.80) PSV (9.00)
23.00: (7.20) Olympiakos (5.20) Real Madrid (1.42)
23.00: (1.37) PSG (5.10) Tottenham (7.75)
23.00: (1.70) Sporting (4.30) Club Brugge (4.80)
***odds are subject to change***
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