Ever since Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid from PSG last summer, the club's depth chart has shuffled significantly, with Rodrygo suddenly on the fringes of the attacking ranks.

Alonso took charge of his first La Liga game as Madrid boss on Tuesday, overseeing a 1–0 win over Osasuna which was inspired by a goal from Mbappé, who inherited the team’s No. 10 shirt following the departure of Luka Modrić.

Rodrygo Goes has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City amid rumours he is not in Alonso's starting XI plans. Despite leaving his No.11 on the bench against Osasuna, with Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz both starting, Alonso was firm in his pledge to keep the former Santos star in his ranks.

Xabi Alonso has broken a Carlo Ancelotti tradition ahead of taking charge of his first La Liga game for Real Madrid. Alonso replaced Ancelotti this summer as he oversaw Real 's Club World Cup campaign in the United States. The Spanish giants reached the semi-finals before being dumped out by Paris Saint-Germain, who ran out 4-0 winners.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said that it was his decision to leave Rodrygo without minutes in the club's 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Bernabéu on Tuesday amid transfer links to Premier League clubs.