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

PRESSURE MOUNTS: XABI ALONSO'S REAL MADRID WINLESS IN FOUR LA LIGA GAMES; TITLE HOPES FADE

Xabi Alonso's struggles continue as Real Madrid falls four points behind the league leaders following a Williot Swedberg double. Militao also went off injured in the 2-0 loss.

Pressure Mounts: Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid Winless In Four La Liga Games; Title Hopes Fade
Alonso's Real Madrid Implodes Before Man City Clash

Real Madrid suffered a surprising loss to Celta Vigo in La Liga, ending the game with only nine players. This defeat puts even more stress on their coach, Xabi Alonso.

The loss leaves Real Madrid, second in the league, trailing Barcelona by four points. They've won only one of their last five La Liga games. Next, they play Man City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Williot Swedberg, who came in as a sub, scored his first league goal of the season, giving Celta an unexpected lead.

Things got tougher for Real in the 64th minute when Fran Garcia got two yellow cards within a minute, reducing them to 10 players.

Then, in the 92nd minute, Alvaro Carreras also received two quick yellow cards—one for arguing and another for using offensive language, leaving Real with only nine players.

After Carreras' ejection, Swedberg scored again, sealing Real's fate.

This marks Celta's first La Liga win against Real since May 2014, ending a 22-game winless streak.

Earlier in the week, Alonso mentioned having talked with club president Florentino Perez about the team's poor performance. Alonso himself received a yellow card as tensions grew at the Bernabeu.

Real missed opportunities, with Arda Guler's close-range shot going just wide and Kylian Mbappe chipping a shot slightly over the bar.

This game was Real's first since Trent Alexander-Arnold was sidelined for two months because of a thigh injury. His difficult debut season continues. Plus, Éder Militao had to leave the game in the 23rd minute with a hamstring injury, adding to Real's defensive problems.

Now, all eyes are on Wednesday's big Champions League match, where Alonso's team will play Manchester City.

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