As LaLiga teams struggle in Europe, Xabi Alonso acknowledges that “something has gone wrong.”

After Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday, former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso acknowledged that LaLiga teams in Europe this year had experienced “something gone wrong.”

Barcelona lost to Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp by a score of 3-0, dropping them into the Europa League. Atletico Madrid, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, may yet finish last in their group and lose out on Europe entirely in the new year.

Since Sevilla was also eliminated from their group, Real Madrid is the only Spanish team that has advanced to the Champions League knockout rounds. LaLiga’s difficulties in Europe, in Alonso’s opinion, are troubling.

After seeing Atletico lose, Alonso said, “That just one of four LaLiga clubs has qualified suggests something has gone wrong.”

In his career, Alonso won the Champions League twice: first with Liverpool in 2005 and again with Real Madrid in 2009.

With Real Madrid winning the championship four times in five years and Barcelona winning the other, the latter victory marked the beginning of a dynastic age for Spanish football.

However, during the seasons of 2018–19 and 2020–21, no Spanish club reached a single final.

In those campaigns, there were two all-English finals, demonstrating a change in dominance throughout Europe.

Last season, Real Madrid put an end to the rot by going on an incredible run to defeat PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool on route to their 14th European Cup.

The results of their local opponents in this season’s tournament, however, indicate that it is becoming more and harder for Spanish clubs to compete with the best in Europe.

Since Real Madrid is the only LaLiga team still playing in the Champions League after Tuesday’s loss to RB Leipzig, they will have more work to do to win their group on the final matchday.