Courtois Rubbishes 'Kindergarten' Claims: No Dressing Room Mutiny Sank Alonso!

Picture this: Real Madrid have just handed Pep Guardiola's Manchester City a proper 3-0 hiding in the Champions League. The Bernabéu is buzzing, and towering keeper Thibaut Courtois is in no mood for the Spanish press's nonsense. Towering over the mic scrum, he lets rip: "You lot think this is a kindergarten where we do whatever we fancy? It's not!"

The big Belgian wasn't mincing words. Straight up, he shut down whispers that the squad orchestrated Xabi Alonso's sacking. "Nobody set Xabi up," he scoffed. After that masterclass dismantling of City – goals from Federico Valverde and mates – Courtois had the perfect platform to set the record straight.

Alonso's Bernabéu Rollercoaster

Xabi Alonso's stint as Madrid boss started like a dream. Early doors, they romped five points clear of Barcelona with a Clásico win. But football being football, pressure piled on quicker than you can say "expectations."

Things turned pear-shaped with just two wins in eight games through November and December. That Champions League loss to City was billed as the final straw, and rumours swirled about Vinicius Junior digging his heels in – even stalling contract talks. Yet the board stuck by him, and five straight wins led to the Spanish Super Cup final.

A 3-2 loss to Barca there? Sacked the next day, despite contrary reports. Enter Álvaro Arbeloa on caretaker duty. He's had a mixed bag: thumpings by Albacete, Benfica, Osasuna and Getafe, sprinkled with gritty wins. Until Wednesday's demolition job, that is.

Arbeloa beamed post-match: thrilled for the fans and players who'd "suffered" but grafted hard. And it showed – Madrid exploited City's high line on goal kicks, with Valverde's opener a peach from a deliberate training ploy.

Keepers and Pros: No Time for Drama

Courtois took umbrage at tales of a dressing room coup. "We don't like the tactics? The videos?" he mocked. Recalling his Chelsea days under Antonio Conte – hour-long video sessions, no complaints – he hammered home the pro ethos.

"Chat with NFL lads in summer; they watch clips non-stop," he added. "We're pros. First months with Xabi? Mint. Rough patch? Tough, but the gaffer's in charge." Even nodded to Gareth Bale's old nugget: at Madrid, you're more manager than coach.

Arbeloa's leaned on mentality chats, insisting the squad proved they're not "dead." Courtois echoed: respect for staff, own the flops like vs Celta or Getafe, but Wednesday was a team step-up. "Fight for each other, and we'll be fine."

It's a reminder amid the circus: Madrid's squad is stacked but wonky. Arbeloa's tinkering, Courtois is preaching unity. After that City evisceration, who knows? The Blancos might just click. Fancy a pint to mull it over?

(Originally reported by SI Soccer)