Five away games, UCL, Liga and Copa: what lies ahead for Real Madrid before Christmas

Despite sitting at the summit of the 2025-26 LaLiga EA Sports table, a defeat away to Liverpool in the Champions and a sterile 0-0 draw away to Rayo Vallecano has seen many Spanish outlets begin to question Xabi Alonso.

The Basque coach has been accused of waiting too long to make attacking substitutions or in-game tactical adjustments, particularly when the team was chasing a goal against Liverpool and Rayo Vallecano. This is seen as a flaw similar to his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti.

There are murmurs that the management is not entirely satisfied with the new playing style, which is seen by some as not yet having found the “winning formula.”

It’s reported that some players feel disconnected from Alonso, believing his approach is “cold and distant” and lacking an understanding of their emotions.

Fixture run-in for 2025

The international break offers the coach to step back and analyse his opening months on the Madrid bench and plan ahead with the club set to play nine more games in 2025.

Five of the nine matches are away from home with the month of December seeing Madrid also embark on their 25/26 Copa del Rey adventure as they will play a lower league opponent mid month.

Arguably the visit of Manchester City to the Bernabeu on December 10 in the Champions League is the standout fixture of the nine games.

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