City Stun Madrid 2-1 as Alonso's Job Comes Under Fire

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Manchester City pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday in the Champions League, casting a shadow over Xabi Alonso's future as coach. Despite the absence of injured star Kylian Mbappe, Madrid took the lead through Rodrygo Goes in the 28th minute. However, City fought back with goals from Nico O'Reilly and Erling Haaland's penalty to take the lead at halftime and ultimately secure the win. Spanish media had warned that a defeat would seal Alonso's fate, and while his team's performance was commendable, the result has put the Madrid coach on the hot seat. Alonso's decision to leave Mbappe on the bench due to knee discomfort was seen as a risk, but the move ultimately backfired as Madrid struggled to find their footing in the second half. The loss marks the 15th time City have come out on top against Madrid in their Champions League history, and the record 15-time winners have now won just two of their last eight matches. Alonso's team will face a battle to stay in the top eight of the league phase table. Fans at the Bernabeu stadium expressed their frustration with the team's performance, whistling them at times during the second half. However, Rodrygo defended the team's unity, saying 'we are together, we need this unity to keep moving forward and achieving our objectives.' The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Vinicius Junior was heavily involved in the opening exchanges, but a VAR review showed that Matheus Nunes' tackle on him was outside the area. Madrid's Brazilian forward eventually broke the deadlock with a well-placed finish from Alvaro Carreras' pass. The hosts' momentum was short-lived, as City pulled level after a mistake from Thibaut Courtois. Josko Gvardiol's header was not held by the Belgian goalkeeper, and O'Reilly tapped in the loose ball. Haaland then sealed the win with a penalty, sending Courtois the wrong way. The loss has put the spotlight on Alonso's future, and the club will face a decision on whether to stick with their coach or look for new leadership. For now, the team's unity remains a priority, with Rodrygo emphasizing the importance of staying together to achieve their objectives.