UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v Manchester City
On thin ice: Xabi Alonso
Real Madrid were left to rue missed chances as a 2-1 Champions League loss to Man City left Xabi Alonso under considerable pressure.
Reports emerged pre-match that Alonso was on thin ice after defeat by Celta Vigo at the weekend, and that he could be sacked if Los Blancos did not come away with a result from this match. No decision is yet to be made, but tonight’s result is not positive.
The evening began well enough for the Spaniard as Real Madrid started brightly and opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark through Rodrygo. It was the Brazilian’s first goal for the club since March.
City, though, responded in kind. Nico O’Reilly hit a poacher’s finish after a goal-line scramble just seven minutes later, before Erling Haaland broke his own goal drought to score from the spot and put his side ahead shortly before half-time.
The second half ended goalless but was not without goalmouth action. It was misses that defined the second period, though, as Real pushed hard for a winner but could not capitalise on their opportunities. Jude Bellingham chipped over from a one-on-one, while Vinicius missed an open goal after inexplicably opting for a scissor kick at the back post.
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