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XABI ALONSO ON THE BRINK: COULD LOSS TO CITY FORCE REAL MADRID TO PROMOTE ALVARO ARBELOA

Real Madrid is reportedly eyeing reserve coach Alvaro Arbeloa if Xabi Alonso is sacked after the Man City game. Players are also facing blame for "disarray."

Xabi Alonso on the Brink: Could Loss to City Force Real Madrid to Promote  Alvaro Arbeloa
Real Madrid May Replace Alonso with Youth Coach After City Clash.

Word is, Real Madrid might look closer to home if they part ways with Xabi Alonso. Many expect Alonso to be out if Real loses to Manchester City in the Champions League.

Apparently, it's not all on Alonso, as the players are also getting some blame.

Losing to Pep Guardiola's team would be bad news for Alonso, because Real has had a tough month. Also, there are rumours of problems between Alonso and the team.

Real Could Turn to Arbeloa

If Alonso's position becomes shaky, some names being considered include Zinedine Zidane and Jurgen Klopp.

But a report says ex-Real and Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa could be the one to take over.

Arbeloa stopped playing in 2017 and has held different coaching jobs at Real since then. He first joined the club as a teen.

Since May, the 42-year-old has managed Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team, which plays in the third tier of Spanish soccer.

Word is that Real's leaders are impressed with Arbeloa's work with the younger players and his modern style of play.

Now, it's just a question of whether Alonso can keep his job with a win against City.

Real Madrid Stars Accused of Being Disorganised

Julen Guerrero, a former player for Athletic Bilbao and Spain, believes Alonso shouldn't take all the responsibility for Real Madrid's recent struggles.

Alonso is catching flak because Real has only won two of its last seven games. But Guerrero is also blaming the players.

Guerrero said on a radio show that the problem isn't tactics but the players' attitude and lack of teamwork.

Guerrero commented, If [Alonso] can't control the egos and the players don't commit to what the coach wants, it will be hard.

He added, The team seems disorganised. I think Xabi Alonso is affected by everything going on. I don't know if all the players are committed, and there's a lot of disarray that frustrates them. Everyone is fighting for themselves.

There's not enough commitment from everyone. The players need to work for the team, and they aren't doing that.

Injuries Lead to Jose Reyes' Call-Up for Real Training

Real Madrid will face Man City with as many as seven players out. Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all unavailable.

Kylian Mbappe also has a broken finger, and Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger, and Federico Valverde all have minor injuries. But all four are expected to play.

Because of the many missing and questionable players, Xabi Alonso has called up Jose Reyes Lopez to train with the first team before the game, according to MARCA.

The 18-year-old is the son of the late Jose Antonio Reyes, who played for Arsenal and Real Madrid.

The young Reyes, a versatile forward, is currently with the Los Blancos academy and has trained with the senior team before under Carlo Ancelotti.

With Real's current problems, it's unclear if this talented player will be added to the squad list for any upcoming games.

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.

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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.

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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.

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