Manchester City celebrate a win at Madrid. Photo: Manchester City / X
Manchester City are celebrating their second ever win at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium thanks to a come from behind 2-1 win over Real Madrid, which will add even more pressure on under fire manager Xabi Alonso.
Rodrygo opened the scoring – his first goal in 32 games – before man of the match Nico O’Reilly scored from a tap-in on the rebound from a corner, his first goal in Europe, before Erling Haaland put City in front from the penalty spot after a brash foul from Antonio Rudiger.
“Such a good feeling. To come here, what an atmosphere, what a stadium, so tough to come here but we got the three points and that’s the most important thing,” O’Reilly said on TNT Sports.
“Very special – over the moon. This goal will be with me forever but we got the three points and that’s the most important thing.”
It consigned Madrid to back-to-back defeats, who could only manage one shot on target all match, but although pressure had been mounting on Alonso, the nature of this performance, including pushing hard at the end for a winner, should allay fears that President Florentino Perez will pull the trigger, especially given they were missing eight players, including Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking on TNT Sports, former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman assessed: “I think it will be alright.
“Things have transpired, losing Kylian Mbappe, playing players he hasn’t trusted..they were down to the bare bones.
“Their energy levels were better…he’s seen a reaction. They’re missing 7-8 key players. It should be enough to calm everyone down a little bit. I don’t think it’s as bad where everyone is saying: he needs to go!”
The win pushes City up to fourth, Madrid down to seventh.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports said City didn’t have to be at their best to prevail today.
“Expecting more from Real Madrid in the second half – more intensity, more energy, show more quality. They showed in flashes but not enough to get into the game.”
Elsewhere, **Arsenal** eased past Club Brugge in a 3-0 win courtesy of a Noni Madueke – one of five changes from the weekend defeat to Aston Villa – and classy Gabriel Martinelli strike to remain their undefeated start to the campaign and all but seal their progression to the next phase.
Mikel Arteta handed a debut to 16-year-old Marli Salmon
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