StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

BERNABéU BLOODBATH: JUDE BELLINGHAM BLEEDS AS NINE-MAN REAL MADRID SLUMP FURTHER BEHIND BARCA

Real Madrid's chaotic night saw Jude Bellingham bleeding, two players sent off, and a 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, putting Xabi Alonso under immense pressure before facing Man City.

Bernabéu Bloodbath: Jude Bellingham Bleeds As Nine-Man Real Madrid Slump Further Behind Barca
Bellingham Cautioned

Jude Bellingham ended up with a bloody face after getting hit in the head during Real Madrid's rough night. The team, down to nine men, fell further behind Barcelona in the La Liga title chase.

Around the hour mark, with Real Madrid trailing Celta Vigo 1-0, Bellingham took an elbow to the head, causing a cut under his eyebrow. He had to leave the field as blood streamed down his face.

Making things worse, he got booked after returning to the game without the ref's okay.

Things got even weirder when Fran Garcia, his teammate, got sent off after receiving two quick yellow cards for separate fouls. Manager Xabi Alonso was not happy about it, with Marca reporting that he shouted, "Fran, don't mess with me!" from the sidelines.

Real Madrid couldn't come back, and then they went down to nine players when Alvaro Carreras, the left-back, received a second yellow in stoppage time.

As Trent Alexander-Arnold watched from the stands, Real Madrid allowed a second goal, with Williot Swedberg of Sweden getting his second of the match.

Now, Real Madrid is four points behind Barcelona, having lost ground in four of their last five La Liga games. This is after a great start to the season, where they won 10 of their first 11 games and had a five-point lead at one point.

Sky Sports commentator Rob Palmer didn't hold back, posting on X, In my 30 years of covering Real Madrid, I don't believe I've ever witnessed a situation this dreadful. The players seem tired. Xabi Alonso looks like he can't do anything. Militao is now on the long list of injured defenders. Carreras and Fran Garcia were both ejected.

Alonso needs to get his team ready before they play Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. At least they're in good shape in that competition, having won four of their first five games.

Alexander-Arnold won't be playing, as he's out for about two months with a quad injury he sustained in last week's 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.

SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS: ANALYTICAL LOOK AT TWO BLUNDERS COSTING XABI ALONSO'S JOB

Xabi Alonso's job is at risk after Real Madrid suffered a chaotic defeat to Man City, sealed by crucial errors from Courtois and Rudiger within seven minutes.

top-news
How Costly Mistakes Gifted Man City Victory and Pressure

If this was the night Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid dream died, he'll leave the Bernabeu knowing the wounds were self-inflicted.

This game showed just how unpredictable football management can be.

Needing a win to relieve pressure after a shaky spell, Alonso's team seemed in control after Rodrygo's goal. Even without Mbappe, nursing a knee injury, Real was the better team. Man City looked strangely uncertain and couldn't get a grip on the game.

But goals can shift everything, mostly when a team's confidence is low.

Then came two quick errors: Courtois gifting O'Reilly an easy goal and Rudiger fouling Haaland for a penalty that was converted. Real went from control to chaos in seven minutes.

That’s how it stayed. As Real got nervous, City took over and secured a win that puts their Champions League fate in their own hands, with games against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray coming up.

As for Alonso, things look tough. After the game, following his team's fruitless late efforts, he shook Guardiola's hand and headed down the tunnel. The Real anthem played, but without the fans' voices, it felt like a funeral march, which may be how things turn out.

On paper, Real's season isn't a disaster. Slot at Liverpool would take it. They're second in LaLiga, four points behind Barcelona, and in the Champions League spots. But the mood in Madrid is bad, and Alonso's job might be at risk. This was their second loss to an English team in Europe, and they've only won two of their last eight games.

The city doesn't care about that. They came here with bad memories of past games at the Bernabeu and some doubts about their own European form. They left with their fate in their hands and deserved the win.

After equalizing, they were the better team and could have scored more.

Early on, they had to hang on. Real even had a penalty shout within two minutes after City lost the ball in midfield.

Real created an opening on the left, and when Nunes tripped Vinicius Junior, it looked like a clear penalty. It was given, but VAR showed the foul was just outside the box. Valverde's free kick went wide.

City struggled to get into the game and were vulnerable on the wings. Rodrygo found space on the right, and his cross to Vinicius Junior was well-timed. But Donnarumma should have done better than let Vinicius lift the ball over him and wide.

Real kept pressing and eventually scored. Silva lost a challenge, allowing Real to switch the ball and create an opening. Bellingham helped the ball to Rodrygo, who finished well.

City seemed in trouble, but a goalkeeping howler gave them a way back. Courtois pushed a header into O'Reilly's path, and he scored.

Then, a lifeline turned into an advantage. A city corner was cleared, but VAR spotted Rudiger pulling Haaland. Haaland scored the penalty, and City led.

Courtois then saved well from Haaland and Cherki, and in the second half from Silva and Doku. But his earlier mistake changed the game, and Real never recovered.

Bellingham missed a chance and took his frustration out on the advertising boards. Later on, there were a couple of headed chances that might have leveled the score on another day.

But this wasn't Alonso's day, and it might have been his last.

LEFT-BACK NIGHTMARE: REAL MADRID FACES DEFENSIVE VOID AFTER MASS SUSPENSIONS

An analysis of Real Madrid's suspension woes: Endrick's final La Liga match is confirmed, while defensive gaps force Coach Alonso to make tough tactical calls.

top-news
Madrid Loses Carvajal, Endrick, Carreras, and García to Ban

Real Madrid's recent loss to Celta Vigo wasn't just a simple defeat; the team is struggling right now. To make matters worse, four players are now suspended for upcoming games.

In the match against Celta Vigo, Fran Garcia received two yellow cards, while Alvaro Carreras and Endrick Felipe were ejected for arguing with the referee. Dani Carvajal, the team captain, was also noted for comments he made to the referee, even though he wasn't playing.

Now, all four players know their punishment. Carreras, Endrick, and Carvajal will each miss two games, while Garcia will only sit out one game because his sending off was due to two yellow cards, according to Sport.

This means all four will be out for the game against Alaves this weekend. Carreras, Endrick, and Carvajal will also miss the final game of 2025 against Sevilla.

The suspension hits Endrick harder since he's expected to leave Real Madrid for Lyon in January. This means his season with Real Madrid is likely over, unless he plays in the Champions League game against Manchester City or the Copa del Rey match against CF Talavera de la Reina.

For Carvajal, the suspension doesn't really change anything. He's still recovering from a knee injury and isn't expected back until January or February, so he wouldn't have been available for the Alaves or Sevilla games anyway.

Real Madrid probably won't have a natural left-back for the Alaves game since Ferland Mendy is injured. But Garcia will return for the Sevilla game the following weekend, which is some welcome news for coach Xabi Alonso.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News