Xabi Alonso does not hide the first crisis he is facing on the Real Madrid bench, with disappointing results.

Real Madrid have just been overtaken by Barcelona in the 2025/26 La Liga standings, and the gap between the two teams has now temporarily widened to 4 points.

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Alonso admitted to being worried. Photo: RMCF

Preparing for the away match at San Mames stadium of Bilbao, playing early round 19 of La Liga because the two teams are participating in the Spanish Super Cup, Alonso admitted that he was worried.

“Both the players and the coaching staff are worried about how we can improve, how we can break this run of form in La Liga , and win again away from home ,” Alonso said .

However, “Professor” Xabi sees Bilbao as an opportunity for Real Madrid to regain their winning smile. The home team lost Sancet due to suspension.

“ We have a very good chance at San Mamés , ” Alonso said confidently . “ We will aim for that , to win again . ”

Real Madrid have won just one of their last five games, in a dark November. They lost to Liverpool in the Champions League and have drawn three straight La Liga games .

The only victory Real Madrid won during this time was away to weak team Olympiacos . That result did not satisfy Alonso, because the team conceded 3 goals.

“It's a process. It's a moment. It 's how we deal with it. When it's a good moment, or a not so good moment, we have to have faith and confidence in ourselves. I have full faith in the team , ” Xabi said.

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Real Madrid continue to hope for Mbappe. Photo: EFE

Alonso met directly with President Florentino P e rez: “The conversations were very positive, with good will, wanting to reverse the result. That's what we said” .

When asked about the possibility of being sacked, Alonso said: “That is not a question for me. My job is the game at San Mames. We know the current stage of the season. There is still a lot of way to go. Everything is in the balance. ”

In the Basque Country, Alonso has the return of Alvaro Carreras. In addition, he is considering changing the formation to 4-1-4-1, with Tchouameni acting as the anchor, while Valverde moves higher up the right flank.

Force:

Bilbao: Egiluz, Navarro, Prados Diaz, Sannadi, Inaki Williams are injured; Sancet is suspended.

Real Madrid: Mendy, Carvajal, Alaba, Huijsen injured.

Expected lineup:

Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Gorosabel, Laporte, Vivian, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sanchez, Nico Williams; Gomez.

Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Courtois; Trent, Militao, Rudiger, Carreras; Tchouameni; Valverde, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.

Match odds: Real Madrid handicap 3/4

Goal ratio: 2 3/4

Prediction: Real Madrid win 2-1 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-bilbao-vs-real-madrid-vong-19-la-liga-2468833.html