Man City’s comeback win makes it worse for Alonso

Real Madrid slumped to second consecutive defeat at home, this time versus Man City

- Dhiman Sarkar

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso (R) with Jude Bellingham during the match against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

(AFP)

Even as he praised the players’ attitude, Xabi Alonso would know that the end could be near. At Real Madrid, attitude matters little if it does not fetch a win ona big night. Asa former player, Alonso would know that.

Wednesday's 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Champi-‘ons League meant Real Madrid had won only two of their last eight matches in all competitions. In his 22 match in charge, this was Alonso's second consecutive defeat after the 0-2 defeat to Celta Vigo at home when Real were down to nine because of two red cards. At Real, coaches have been removed for less because as Alonso said, “the demands are so high.”

There were jeers at the Santiago Bernabeu and though Thibaut Courtois and Raul Asencio said the team was united and Rodrygo embraced his coach after scoring, reports in the Spanish media about the coach not having the changing room are too recent to be forgotten.