Alonso doesn't like 4-3-3

If Xabi has a cold, Real Madrid sneezes. This was visible at the beginning of the season, when 'Los Blancos' played their first months without the Spaniard, and is showing the same signs now, with the midfielder's poor performances. Two mediocre games by the player, two defeats.

Running out of spark
Xabi came back from his time recovering from his injury against Sevilla at the Bernabéu and Real went on to string together 31 games without losing. This was the 'Alonso effect', which has petered out with the player's drop in energy. Of the 31 undefeated games, Xabi took part in 29 of them, making him an indispensable part of the team.

He even played in the somewhat unimportant return game against Schalke 04, and it seems to have taken its toll on the player. Against Barça, he committed a totally unnecessary foul and made a fair few mistakes getting the ball out of defence. Against Sevilla, the situation was much the same, losing the ball that led to the Andalusian setup's draw.

The numbers don't lie. Against Barç, Xabi only came into contact with the ball 39 times - one of his all-time lowest participations. The player seemed absent, unfocused, disconnected. Against Sevilla, he lost possession more than ever.

His average poor pass rate so far this season stands at 12%, while at the Pizjuán it was 16%, losing 12 of the 76 balls he played. One of them cost his team dearly.