Manchester City pushed pressure down Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso with a 2-1 comeback victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, leaving the Spanish giants with just two wins in their last eight matches.
The atmosphere in the Spanish capital turned toxic as the initial jeers for former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola transformed into whistles directed at the home side by full-time.
Real Madrid initially looked sharp, taking the lead in the 28th minute through Rodrygo, who ended a 33-game goal drought by finishing a low cross past Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, the game turned on two defensive lapses in the final ten minutes of the first half.
First, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois spilled a Josko Gvardiol header, allowing youngster Nico O'Reilly to tap in the equalizer in the 35th minute. Eight minutes later, Antonio Rudiger wrestled Erling Haaland to the ground inside the box, and the Norwegian striker converted the resulting penalty to silence the Bernabeu ultras.
The hosts were hampered by the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who remained on the bench due to knee discomfort, with Alonso deeming it too much of a "risk" to play him. Without their talisman, Madrid lacked ideas in the second half, though substitute Endrick headed inches over the bar late on.
City controlled the chaos well, though Haaland admitted the nature of the win was frantic. "We had lots of chances, but the game was chaotic, and we struggled to control it," Haaland told TNT Sports. "In February, we will be much better, but one wrong pass and we lose today."
Despite the hostile reception from the stands, England international Jude Bellingham offered a robust defense of his manager. "I personally have a great relationship with him, a lot of the lads do as well," Bellingham said. "In the past couple of games we let ourselves down again. No-one's downing tools, no-one's complaining and moaning thinking the season is over."
The victory lifts Manchester City to fourth in the Champions League standings with 13 points, while Real Madrid drops to seventh on 12 points, clinging to an automatic qualification spot only by goal difference.
Despite reports suggesting a loss could spell the end of Alonso’s tenure, sources indicate he is likely to remain in charge for the immediate future, though a third consecutive defeat against Alaves on Sunday could prove fatal. When asked post-match if he had spoken to chairman Florentino Perez, Alonso simply replied, "I came straight here."
For Alonso, the frustration lies in the execution rather than the effort, though the clash of cultures regarding his strict methods remains a talking point. Rodrygo highlighted the razor-thin margins of the loss, noting, "These matches are decided by details, set pieces... that's why it's frustrating."
Meanwhile, City celebrated a vital win that stabilized their European campaign after a shock loss to Bayer Leverkusen. Match-winner O'Reilly summed up the mood in the visiting camp: "To come here, what an atmosphere, what a stadium... but we got the three points and that's the most important thing."
