Manchester City narrowly defeat Real Madrid putting Xabi Alonso on the edge
On Wednesday Manchester City overturned an early deficit to claim a 2-1 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League leaving Xabi Alonsos job as manager of the Spanish powerhouse hanging by a thread.
Real Madrid missing their star player Kylian Mbappe through injury grabbed the opener via Rodrygo Goes yet Nico OReilly and a spot kick from Erling Haaland turned the game around for City by half time ensuring Pep Guardiolas team picked up the full points.
Reports in the Spanish press before the match suggested a loss could end Alonsos tenure at Madrid though his sides effort earned some praise even if they fell short at a tense Bernabeu.
The 15 time Champions League champions have managed only two victories in their past eight outings across every competition and now they must fight to secure a spot inside the top eight of the league phase standings.
Until our opening goal they dominated the game Guardiola conceded.
We have delivered stronger performances than this at the Bernabeu without getting the result.
Alonso had to sideline his leading goalscorer Mbappe due to knee issues calling it too much of a gamble to play him and chose 21 year old forward Gonzalo Garcia to lead the line.
Last season Madrid eliminated City in the Champions League knockout play off in February with Mbappe netting four times in the 6 3 aggregate triumph.
Supporters jeered the players at points in the second period as attempts to mount a comeback fizzled out.
This is expected Madrid demands a lot from its team and its followers we have experienced this over the years it comes when we underperform said Rodrygo to Movistar.
We must take it on the chin and work to turn things around.
Tough times
This marked the 15th clash between these teams forming a key rivalry in the modern Champions League and it kicked off at a furious tempo with Vinicius Junior making his presence felt right away.
The Brazilian winger went down under a challenge from Matheus Nunes prompting the referee to award a penalty but VAR intervention revealed the foul occurred outside the box.
The home side rightly went ahead in the 28th minute as Rodrygo converted an attack that began with Alvaro Carreras deep in Citys half.
Real surged upfield Jude Bellingham slipped the ball to the Brazilian who slotted it low and early past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner.
This ended a 33 match dry spell for Rodrygo his first strike in that time and it made five goals scored by him against City in total including a memorable pair in the 2022 semi finals that knocked Guardiolas outfit out.
Rodrygo shared a hug with Alonso on the touchline post goal explaining it carried a purpose.
We are in a rough patch as a group and so is he results arent coming we aimed to demonstrate our backing for the manager added Rodrygo.
Real controlled the first 30 minutes flawlessly until Cities sudden equaliser arose from an error by Belgian shot stopper Thibaut Courtois.
The keeper failed to secure Josko Gvar diols header allowing OReilly to bundle the rebound over the line in the 35th minute.
Squad backs Alonso
Guardiola voiced frustration over his teams initial half yet they led at the interval when Antonio Rudiger hauled down Haaland earning a penalty.
The Norwegian forward set to meet Mbappes France at next years World Cup deceived Courtois from 12 yards.
Courtois atoned for his prior blunder with an excellent double stop denying Haaland and Rayan Cherki before the interval and Jeremy Doku soon after.
As no leveller arrived Alonso introduced young prospect Endrick who he has rarely featured since taking charge and the 19 year old struck the bar with under five minutes remaining.
Real lacked creativity after the break and might soon seek fresh ideas from a new head coach.
The locker room stands firmly behind Xabi Alonso said Madrid centre back Raul Asencio highlighting the groups commitment defending his boss and offering club leader Florentino Perez plenty to consider.