(foto: Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe called for change at Real Madrid after their 1-1 draw with Girona, as pressure mounts on Xabi Alonso amid the club’s growing struggles in La Liga.
Real Madrid failed to beat Girona on Sunday, deepening doubts surrounding Xabi Alonso as the team’s inconsistent form continues to frustrate fans and players alike. Despite Kylian Mbappe’s best efforts, Los Blancos once again dropped crucial points, losing their place at the top of La Liga to arch-rivals Barcelona.
After a midweek Champions League win over Olympiacos — in which Mbappe scored four goals — hopes were high that Real had turned a corner. However, the 1-1 draw in Girona exposed familiar flaws: defensive lapses, lost control in midfield, and an inability to maintain intensity over 90 minutes.
Real thought they had taken the lead through Mbappe in the 40th minute, but his goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Girona capitalised on Madrid’s drop in concentration, taking the lead after the break before Mbappe salvaged a point with a penalty in the 67th minute — his 14th La Liga goal of the season.
The French star, who has scored 23 goals in 19 matches across all competitions, voiced his frustration after the game. While he remains Real’s most decisive player, his message made it clear that individual brilliance is not enough to fix their current problems.
“This is not the result we wanted to achieve,” Mbappe wrote on Instagram. “The La Liga season continues, and it will be a long one. We need to change the dynamic and show what kind of team we are.”
His words have been interpreted by Spanish media as a subtle warning to both his teammates and coach Alonso, whose tactical approach and substitutions have come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Real Madrid have now dropped points in four of their last six league games, raising concerns that early-season momentum is slipping away.
Alonso, meanwhile, faces growing pressure to restore balance to a side that has relied heavily on Mbappe’s scoring form. The club’s next fixtures — including a home clash with Real Sociedad and a tough away trip to Sevilla — could prove decisive in determining the direction of their season.