The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Real Madrid sack Alonso + what records can Bayern break?
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Jan 13, 2026 Guillermo Rai, a journalist for The Athletic, joins to discuss the shock departure of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid. He explains the internal tensions that led to the decision and Álvaro Arbeloa's swift promotion from the reserve team. The panel also dives into Barcelona's Supercopa victory and the implications for La Liga's title race. Shifting to Germany, Bayern Munich's crushing 8-1 win over Wolfsburg raises questions about record-breaking potential, while Dortmund sparks excitement with a thrilling 3-3 draw.
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From Fourth Tier To The Bundesliga
- Younes Ebn Talib rose from Germany's fourth tier to Eintracht Frankfurt and scored on his Bundesliga debut.
- Seb Stafford-Bloor recounts his rapid rise from regional league to top-level goalscoring and an €8m move.
Madrid's High-Pressure Reality
- Real Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso suddenly despite recent wins and a close Supercopa loss to Barcelona.
- Guillermo Rai says the club environment and Real's unique expectations made Alonso's position unstable from the start.
Arbeloa Step-Up Is A Test
- Álvaro Arbeloa's appointment was expected internally and may be judged on short-term results.
- The club constrained choices by framing the departure as 'mutual' and keeping options open for future changes.