City Stun Real Madrid as Alonso’s Job Hangs in the Balance After Champions League Blow
Manchester City overturned an early setback to secure a brilliant Champions League win at Real Madrid — a result that leaves Xabi Alonso’s job hanging by a thread.
The Real Madrid manager is already under intense scrutiny after a poor domestic run and reports of dressing-room tension, and this defeat will only increase the pressure.
Real were dealt an early blow when top scorer Kylian Mbappé was named on the bench and ultimately took no part in the match. Without their captain, the hosts suffered a dispiriting loss.
City almost endured a disastrous start when Matheus Nunes brought down Vinicius Jr inside two minutes, prompting the referee to award a penalty. VAR intervened, however, changing the decision to a free-kick on the edge of the area. Federico Valverde’s driven effort from the set piece flashed just wide, and Vinicius soon missed another chance at the back post.
Although City began to settle and control possession, they were stunned on the counter when Rodrygo latched onto Jude Bellingham’s sweeping pass and fired home his first goal since January.
The visitors responded swiftly. Seven minutes later, academy left-back Nico O’Reilly stabbed in from close range after Josko Gvardiol’s header was clawed back into danger by Thibaut Courtois.
City then completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time. Erling Haaland converted from the spot after being bundled over by Antonio Rüdiger, and Courtois had to produce a spectacular save moments later to prevent the Norwegian from doubling the lead.
Real pushed for an equaliser after the break — Bellingham lofted a chance over, and substitute Endrick grazed the crossbar with a glancing header — but City held firm to claim a superb victory.
Manchester City analysis: Guardiola’s side stay composed under pressure
This was the 15th meeting between Real and City in the Champions League and the fifth consecutive season they have faced off, continuing one of the competition’s defining modern rivalries.
City endured a hostile Bernabéu atmosphere, with fans booing former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola during the pre-match announcements. But Guardiola will be pleased to gain a measure of revenge after February’s play-off defeat — he has now lost just seven of his 28 encounters with Real.
Despite a shaky start, City showed composure and resilience. O’Reilly, a standout academy product, delivered a crucial equaliser and impressed defensively with three tackles and four clearances.
Haaland was clinical from the spot, scoring his 55th Champions League goal — no player has scored more since his debut in 2019 with RB Salzburg.
Jeremy Doku nearly added a third, but Courtois pushed his low effort wide. Regardless, City’s recovery from defeat to Bayer Leverkusen has lifted them to fourth, and they will feel confident about securing a top-eight finish with matches against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray ahead.
Real Madrid analysis: Guardiola gets the better of his former pupil
Is Alonso’s time nearly up?
BBC Sport’s Guillem Balagué suggested before kick-off that Alonso’s job was already “slim”, and this defeat leaves him clinging on.
A board meeting was held after Sunday’s loss to Celta Vigo — never a promising sign — and another could follow quickly as the club considers its options.
This match marked the first dugout showdown between Guardiola and his former Bayern Munich midfielder, and it may prove a decisive moment in Alonso’s short six-month tenure.
Real failed to build on their early lead and lost control once City took over, leaving them seventh in the table and facing major uncertainty.