Next defeat for the Whites Man City turn the game around in Madrid - was that it for Real coach Alonso?

Real Madrid lose 2-1 at home to Manchester City, bringing coach Xabi Alonso even more criticism and the possibility of an imminent sacking.

Not so long ago, no football coach in the world was more sought-after than Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard achieved something historic with Bayer Leverkusen, not only winning the first Bundesliga title with the Werkself, but also the double. But Alonso's Leverkusen were not only successful, at times they even seemed out of this world. In the 2024 season, Bayer only lost once with Swiss national team captain Granit Xhaka. In the Europa League final, when Atalanta Bergamo demystified Alonso's "invincibles".

It goes without saying that Alonso's achievements were also noted at home, and the former midfielder quickly became the crown favorite for one of the most coveted coaching positions in club football - at Real Madrid, where he had also left his mark as a player.

At the start of this season, Alonso took over at the "royals", making a convincing start and stringing together victory after victory in the championship. But in the glamorous environment of the Madrilenians, only the best is good enough. And so the critical voices quickly became louder at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real have only won one of their last five games in the league and have been outclassed by rivals Barcelona. After Sunday's home defeat against Celta Vigo (0:2), there were quite a few observers who could have imagined the immediate dismissal of the former coach of choice.

Mbappé missing at all corners

But Alonso was also on the touchline on Wednesday evening when Manchester City, a European heavyweight, visited the Spanish capital. And after just under half an hour, the 44-year-old was even jubilant when Rodrygo, of all players, gave Madrid the lead, a player who has not seemed to be in the coach's favor in recent weeks.

But Alonso's Real is not yet the Real that coaching legend Carlo Ancelotti has characterized in recent years. Rather, it is a team that can easily be thrown off balance. And reveals defensive weaknesses. Nico O'Reilly (35') and Erling Haaland with a penalty after Antonio Rüdiger was fouled (43') turned the game in City's favor before the break.

Real Madrid subsequently had more possession and an excellent chance to equalize when Endrick hit the crossbar, but without the injured Kylian Mbappé, Madrid's highly decorated attack clearly lacked penetration. Although Real are still on course for the round of 16 after their second defeat in the league phase, the former white ballet is currently dragging its feet on the pitch - and that could turn Xabi Alonso from dream coach to nightmare coach in no time at all.

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Video ticker

Real Madrid

Completed

1:2

(1:2)

Manchester City

• Rodrygo - 1:0 (28.)
•  
•  

•  
• (35.) 1:1 - Nico O'Reilly
• (43.) 1:2 - Erling Haaland

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84.
Endrick just hits the crossbar
50.
Bellingham misses the equalizer
48.
Haaland gets the ball where it hurts the most
45.
Haaland has the next good chance - and Real want a penalty
43.
Haaland stays cool and converts the penalty
35.
O'Reilly equalizes for City
28.
Rodrygo gives Real the lead
3.
First excitement after just a few moments
0.
Alonso: "As Real coach, you have to face these situations"
0.
Real podcaster Nils Kern: "Not everyone at Real Madrid is receptive"
90.+5.
End of 2nd half
90.
Yellow card Manchester City
Bernardo Silva
88.
Yellow card Real Madrid
Álvaro Carreras
88.
Substitution in Manchester City

Nathan Aké
Defender
88.
Substitution out Manchester City

Jérémy Doku
Striker
87.
Yellow card Real Madrid
Rodrygo
79.
Substitution in Real Madrid

Endrick
Striker
79.
Substitution out Real Madrid
Raúl Asencio
Defender
76.
Yellow card Manchester City
Nico O'Reilly
71.
Substitution in Manchester City

Savinho
Striker
71.
Substitution out Manchester City

Rayan Cherki
Striker
70.
Substitution in Manchester City

Tijjani Reijnders
Midfielder
70.
Substitution out Manchester City

Phil Foden
Midfielder
70.
Substitution in Manchester City

Omar Marmoush
Striker
70.
Substitution out Manchester City

Erling Haaland
Striker
67.
Substitution in Real Madrid

Brahim Díaz
Striker
67.
Substitution out Real Madrid

Dani Ceballos
Midfielder
58.
Substitution in Real Madrid

Arda Güler
Midfielder
58.
Substitution out Real Madrid
Gonzalo García
Striker
46.
Kick-off 2nd half
45.+4.
End of 1st half
43.
Goal for Manchester City, 1:2 through penalties from Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland
Striker
43.
Yellow card Real Madrid
Antonio Rüdiger
35.
Goal for Manchester City, 1:1 through Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly
Defender
28.
Goal for Real Madrid, 1:0 through Rodrygo (Jude Bellingham)

Rodrygo
Striker

Assist: Jude Bellingham
Midfielder
11.
Yellow card Manchester City
Phil Foden
1.
Start of the match

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