The pressure is intensifying on Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso as the club prepares for Wednesday's crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Real Madrid have managed only two victories in their last seven matches across all competitions, a run that includes a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo over the weekend. In the build-up to the Manchester City encounter, Alonso has also had to deal with reports in the Spanish media suggesting that he has lost control of the dressing room.
“This is a team, and we all stand together,” he said. “In soccer, you can change perspective quickly, and we're at that point.”
Further adding to Alonso's worries are doubts surrounding the availability of star forward Kylian Mbappé. The France striker trained separately from the rest of the squad on Tuesday after reportedly experiencing issues with his left leg.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who previously coached Alonso during his playing days at Bayern Munich, expressed sympathy for his former player's situation. “Barcelona and Real Madrid are the toughest clubs to be manager of because of the environment,” he said. “It's a difficult place but he knows it — it's the reality of being here.”
Other notable Champions League fixtures scheduled for Wednesday include defending champions Paris Saint-Germain travelling to Athletic Bilbao, Arsenal facing Club Brugge, and Italian champions Napoli taking on Benfica.
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