Manchester City overturned an early deficit to claim a 2–1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night, a result that deepens the uncertainty surrounding Xabi Alonso’s future as head coach of the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid missing injured star forward Kylian Mbappé struck first through Rodrygo, but City responded with goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland to secure a decisive Champions League win.
Spanish outlets had reported before kickoff that Alonso’s job could hinge on this match.
And although Madrid produced long spells of encouraging football, their inability to sustain pressure or convert late chances brought frustration from the home crowd and left their manager facing more pointed questions.
Los Blancos have now managed only two victories in their last eight matches across all competitions—an alarming slide for the 15-time European champions, who now find themselves battling to stay in the top half of the league-phase table.
Alonso opted against risking Mbappé, who has been nursing a knee issue, and instead trusted young striker Gonzalo García to lead the line.
The rivalry between Madrid and Manchester City has become one of modern Europe’s defining fixtures, and their 15th meeting lived up to the billing from the opening whistle.
Vinícius Júnior was the centre of Madrid’s early threats, drawing a foul from Matheus Nunes that initially earned a penalty before VAR overturned the call.
Madrid created the better early chances: Fede Valverde’s thunderous free-kick clipped off O’Reilly, and Vinícius slid a delicate finish just wide after a swift combination with Rodrygo.
Madrid’s bright start was rewarded in the 28th minute. After a break launched by Álvaro Carreras, Jude Bellingham slipped Rodrygo into space, and the Brazilian swept a low drive past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The goal ended Rodrygo’s lengthy scoring drought and marked his fifth career strike against City.
City clawed their way level seven minutes later thanks to an uncharacteristic lapse from Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper failed to hold Josko Gvardiol’s header, leaving O’Reilly with the simplest of tap-ins.
Haaland then completed the turnaround from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after Antonio Rüdiger was adjudged to have hauled the striker down inside the box.
The Norwegian calmly sent Courtois the wrong way, delivering what proved to be the match-winning goal.
Courtois did redeem himself with several sharp stops denying Haaland and Rayan Cherki in quick succession before the interval, and later thwarting Jérémy Doku but Real Madrid’s attack grew increasingly blunt as the second half wore on.
Alonso introduced Arda Güler and later 19-year-old forward Endrick in search of renewed energy up front. Bellingham, shifted into a more advanced central role, chipped over the bar from one of Madrid’s few promising second-half chances.
Endrick came closest, flashing a header narrowly over the crossbar with five minutes remaining.
Despite those late efforts, Madrid lacked cohesion and incision after halftime—a pattern that has become familiar in recent weeks.
With another disappointing result added to the growing pile, club directors may now decide whether a managerial change is required to arrest Madrid’s slide.
AFP
