Bernabéu Boos: Alonso Faces Pressure After City Defeat

Real Madrid experienced a challenging night at the Bernabéu, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League. The home crowd voiced their displeasure with whistles following the loss, a reaction coach Xabi Alonso acknowledged. He stated that while the team tried until the end and fought through numerous injuries, the recent string of poor results, including this Champions League setback and a prior domestic league loss, has understandably led to fan frustration.

Despite the mounting pressure and speculation surrounding his future, Alonso defended his players' efforts, asserting there was "nothing to criticise" in their performance given the circumstances. He highlighted the team's resilience amidst an injury crisis that sidelined eight first-team players, including Kylian Mbappé. Alonso expressed self-criticism regarding the results in November and December but remained steadfast in his belief in the team's ability to improve.

The squad publicly backed their coach, with midfielder Jude Bellingham stating players were "100% behind the manager." Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois echoed this sentiment, denying the match was an "exam" for Alonso and emphasizing the team's commitment to him. This support comes as the team seeks to rebound from a slump that has seen their early-season dominance falter, impacting their LaLiga standing.