Real Madrid may have partially exorcised the demons of their derby humiliation with last night’s 5-0 win at Kairat Almaty but boss Xabi Alonso may have returned from Kazakhstan with an even bigger problem.

Madrid were hammered 5-2 by Atletico at the Metropolitano on Saturday following a dismal second half display. They flew east determined to make amends and did so with a routine, and expected, victory against the Champions League minnows.

It was not all plain sailing, however.

Vinicius Jr again showed his displeasure at being taken off with 20 minutes to go but, even more problematic were the shows of petulance displayed by key midfielder Federico Valverde.

Valverde actions hint at Alonso row

Valverde had to face questions on Monday from the media relating to rumours he had refused to fill in as an emergency right-back due to injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. He batted them off and insisted he would “die for the shirt”.

He did admit, however, that the position did not come naturally to him and that he “didn’t grow up playing there”. That remark raised a few eyebrows but was largely dismissed and the Uruguayan’s appearance at the press conference, and his role as captain in the absence of Carvajal, naturally led to the assumption he would start and wear the armband against Kairat at the Central Stadium.

However, when the teams were announced and Valverde was among the substitutes, it indicated at an issue, even more so when the former Penarol midfielder didn’t join his colleagues for the pe-match warm-up.

Valverde sat isolated on the bench during the game and, when asked to warm-up in the second half, stood motionless on the touchline with his hands behind his back.

Alonso plays down situation and says Valverde didn’t play to manage his load

Asked about Valverde afterwards, Alonso insisted there was no problem and said Valverde’s omission was simply due to managing his load.

The Madrid boss said: “It was a decision that was made before the press conference [on Monday]. He [Valverde] is always willing to play wherever he’s needed. He’s very generous and willing. If the game had required it, he’d have played.

“The game was decided in the second half, and we have to pace our efforts because both he and [Alvaro] Carreras were seeing a slot of big loads [in previous games].”

‘Alonso was vindictive’ – Gomez

Despite Alonso’s assurances, the Madrid media were in conspiracy mode this morning.

Journalist Roberto Gómez told Radio Marca: “Alonso was very vindictive with what he did to Valverde. It’s been years since I heard a Real Madrid footballer talk about commitment and attitude that later does not play. It seems to me an internal issue after what happened at the Metropolitano.

“I was annoyed by Xabi Alonso’s attitude towards the captain of Real Madrid.”

Madrid are next in action on Saturday when Villarreal are the visitors to the Santiago Bernabéu.