Xabi Alonso could be sacked by Real Madrid if team lose by a ‘heavy’ margin against Barcelona

Xabi Alonso has seen the pressure around his future slowly dissolve as his side have now strung together five wins in a row across competitions.

Reports yesterday, in fact, brought to light that the coach may well have bought himself some of the board’s admiration with the turnaround, especially with the win over Atletico Madrid in the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup.

The game against Barcelona tonight, thus, was seemingly inconsequential for his future with word spreading that even a defeat will not see him sacked considering the team’s improvement.

Still not completely safe. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

As relayed by Directo Gol , however, Alonso’s situation is not as clear as was portrayed in recent reports.

The manager may well indeed stay in charge of the first team if they lose to Barcelona, but the margin of the defeat will play a massive role in influencing the decision.

Should Los Blancos go down to Barcelona by a hefty margin as occurred on certain occasions last season, it could well be the end of the road for Alonso at the club. There is, thus, continued pressure on the coach.

Leaving the decision of his future on the margin of the defeat, needless to say, leaves it in a grey area. The definition of a ‘heavy’ defeat, after all, is subjective.

Considering the history between the two clubs, however, one can assume that the defeat will be termed ‘heavy’ should Barcelona put more than four goals past Real Madrid without the men in white giving a fight back.

Needless to say, the atmosphere in the Real Madrid dressing room is not one of fear ahead of the final. In fact, there is a clear belief that they can take down Barcelona for the second consecutive time and lift a title this time around.