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.
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.
THIBAUT COURTOIS CLEARED TO START EL CLáSICO AFTER RECOVERING FROM INJURY
Thibaut Courtois will return for Real Madrid in Sunday's El Clásico, but Ferland Mendy is sidelined for five months with an injury.
Looks like Thibaut Courtois is finally set to make his return for Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico, which would be his first match since March 17. Courtois injured his thigh during the Champions League clash with Manchester City and hasn’t played since. Madrid really missed him; they managed just one clean sheet in eight games while he was out.
Now, with the trip to Camp Nou right around the corner, Courtois is back at just the right time. According to MARCA, he’ll start against Barcelona unless something unexpected happens between now and then. He trained with the squad on Monday and looks ready to reclaim his spot from Andriy Lunin, who’s had a tough couple of months and faced a fair share of criticism. If Courtois starts, he’ll notch his 330th appearance for the club.
But here’s the problem: while Arbeloa gets a major boost in goals, his squad is still missing key players. Arda Güler, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, and maybe even Kylian Mbappé remain sidelined, so Madrid are still far from full strength for this crucial match on May 10.
Ferland Mendy joins the injury list too after picking up a muscle issue in the 2–0 win over Espanyol. He only lasted 14 minutes before coming off, and further tests showed a hamstring injury bad enough that ESPN says he could be out for up to five months, possibly needing surgery.
That one really hurts since Mendy had played so well lately, especially against Savinho and Michael Olise in the Champions League. To make things even more complicated, Álvaro Carreras seems to have dropped down Arbeloa’s pecking order, so Fran García is expected to fill in at left back on Sunday.
Now, about the title race. Barcelona sit 11 points clear at the top, so the La Liga title is basically theirs. Madrid already swallowed the bitter pill of losing out to their biggest rivals for a second straight season, but two things could still make this sting even more. First, they dodged the humiliation of being forced to give Barcelona a guard of honour at the Camp Nou. Madrid’s win over Espanyol last weekend stopped that from happening.
But here’s what Madrid really wants to avoid: Barcelona celebrating the title in front of them on Sunday. The math is simple: if Barça earn even a draw, they clinch the league. The only way Madrid can delay the inevitable is by taking all three points and spoiling the party at least for another week.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
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