4<\/p>\n Alonso is hanging onto his job following City’s 2-1 win at the BernabeuCredit: Getty<\/p>\n talkSPORT reported earlier this week how there were big question marks over Alonso’s future<\/a>.<\/p>\n A 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last weekend led to boos at the Bernabeu, and those jeers were once again ever-present following the full-time whistle against the Citizens<\/a>.<\/p>\n It was Rodrygo<\/a> who made it an ideal start for Real in the 28th minute, only to be behind 15 minutes later following goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland<\/a>.<\/p>\n Incredibly, it was the first time since against Sparktak Moscow in March 1991 that Real were behind at the break in a European Cup\/Champions League match when taking the lead.<\/p>\n READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS<\/p>\n The hosts pressed for a late equaliser, but City never looked in real danger.<\/p>\n Madrid only mustered one shot on target in the whole match – their lowest tally in a Champions League match on home soil since records began in the 2003\/04 season.<\/p>\n Their latest defeat – Real’s fifth under the tutelage of Alonso<\/a> from his 29 matches in charge across all competitions – leaves them hanging onto seventh spot in the 36-game table ahead of matches with Monaco and Benfica.<\/p>\n Al aboard<\/p>\n But crucially for Alonso, he retains the full backing of the Real squad, with Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio giving him messages of support after the game.<\/p>\n When asked by TNT Sports whether the players are behind the manager, Bellingham, who wasted a key chance in the second half, said: “100 per cent.<\/p>\n “The manager has been great, I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the boys do too.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Bellingham was unable to inspire Madrid to get a result against the CitizensCredit: Getty 4<\/p>\n Alonso only took over Real in the summer following Carlo Ancelotti’s exit, but could already be moved onCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “After that run of draws we had some great conversations internally and felt we’d put that form behind us.<\/p>\n “But the last couple of games…. no-one is downing tools, no-one’s complaining or moaning, we take it on the chin and keep fighting.”<\/p>\n As for goalscorer Rodrgyo, he remarked: “We are with Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n “We stand with him, many things are being said, but all are lies.”<\/p>\n Meanwhile defender Asensio stated: “We are with Xabi Alonso to the death.<\/p>\n “We understand his message, you saw the change of attitude tonight.”<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Madrid have lost in back-to-back matches in all competitionsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso only succeeded former Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid in June.<\/p>\n But it remains to be seen whether the Real board will make a drastic decision on Alonso just six months after luring him away from Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n Should the 2010 World Cup winner be dismissed, Real could look to promote ex-Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n Arbeloa has been in charge of Castilla – Madrid’s reserve team – since May.<\/p>\n![\"Xabi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/xabi-alonso-head-coach-real-1044846144_d02cef.jpg\")
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