Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces one of the most intense challenges of his young managerial career this Wednesday as his side hosts Manchester City in the Champions League. What was expected to be a clash of footballing superstars – Kylian Mbappe vs Erling Haaland – has instead become a potential make-or-break moment for Alonso.
Alonso Under Pressure After Recent La Liga Setbacks
Alonso’s Real Madrid tenure has been scrutinized since its inception. After a disappointing home defeat to Celta Vigo, Alonso appeared at the pre-match press conference bearing the weight of expectation at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Despite probing questions about his potential replacements, whether he feels isolated in the role, and his opinions on the squad’s performance, Alonso remained composed, simply affirming that he feels supported by his players.
BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague recently described Alonso’s chances of survival as “slim,” with speculation mounting that a loss to City could end his six-month reign. However, former Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate defended the Spaniard:
“Xabi is a fantastic coach. You have to stick with the manager. When I played here I had five managers in two seasons—it is not the way to do it. You have to give a manager time to implement what he wants to do.”
Injury Concerns Add to Alonso’s Challenges
The injury list at Real Madrid compounds Alonso’s pressure. Star striker Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt due to a leg injury, while defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Dean Huijsen are all sidelined.
Despite these setbacks, Alonso emphasized unity within the squad:
“We want to create excitement, we are trying to change the situation and in our mind all we have is Manchester City in the Champions League. This can change very quickly, we can change our vision.”
The Stakes: Champions League Showdown vs Manchester City
The Real Madrid vs Manchester City rivalry has defined the modern Champions League era. This will be their fifth consecutive meeting in Europe’s premier competition. Historical clashes include:
- February 2022: Real eliminated City in the play-offs.
- May 2022: Real stunned City with two injury-time goals to advance.
- 2023 Semi-Final: City’s 4-0 demolition remains a highlight of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.
For Alonso, a victory against City could provide both a morale boost and a lifeline in his current turbulent campaign.
Guardiola Sympathizes with Alonso
City manager Pep Guardiola expressed understanding of Alonso’s position:
“It’s a hypothesis. You’re asking me about his future? I only wish him the best. I love him. What would happen if you don’t win big games? You have more difficulties. Xabi knows what he has to do.”
Woodgate also noted the extraordinary pressures at a club like Real Madrid:
“Even in training sessions, you have 30 to 40 cameras. It is a gigantic football club and that brings the pressures.”
Player Absences: Does Mbappe’s Injury Change the Game?
The potential absence of Mbappe could significantly impact Real Madrid, as the French forward has scored 57% of Real’s goals across all competitions this season. His absence would deprive fans of a high-profile showdown with Erling Haaland, whose scoring ratio has dipped to 40% after a four-game drought.
City captain Bernardo Silva downplayed the effect of Mbappe’s absence:
“I wouldn’t say it changes much. Kylian is a very special player, if Madrid can count on him it is better for them, but I cannot say Madrid has some bad players—if he doesn’t play [Alonso] maybe plays Rodrygo. We are waiting for a very tough game no matter who plays.”
Can Alonso Turn Things Around?
Real Madrid’s recent run in La Liga has been poor, with one victory in the last five league matches, leaving them trailing Barcelona by four points. This sequence, combined with a Champions League test against a resurgent Manchester City, makes Alonso’s future at the club particularly precarious.
However, supporters argue that the Spaniard deserves time to implement his strategies, pointing to his previous success at Bayer Leverkusen and the need for stability at a club where managerial changes are historically frequent.
Key Takeaways
- Xabi Alonso faces immense pressure after Real Madrid’s recent poor form.
- Champions League clash vs Manchester City could define his tenure.
- Injuries to Mbappe and key defenders increase challenges.
- Guardiola and former players defend giving Alonso time.
- Historical encounters between Real and City highlight the high stakes of the fixture.
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