### Pressure Mounts on Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid Faces Manchester City in Champions League Real Madrid's head coach, Xabi Alonso, is under significant scrutiny as his team prepares for a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City. The pressure stems from a disappointing run of form, with the team winning only two of their last seven matches across all competitions, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo. Reports from Spanish media suggest that Alonso may have lost the confidence of his players, further complicating the situation as doubts arise regarding the availability of star striker Kylian Mbappé, who trained separately due to a leg issue [https://apnews.com/article/real-madrid-man-city-champions-league-scores-a1c04d20464f069de252535e99cf9676][https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/football/real-coach-xabi-alonso-in-the-hot-seat-ahead-of-man-city-clash-3003814.html]. ### Breakdown of Current Situation and Implications 1. **Alonso's Job Security**: Reports indicate that Alonso's position is precarious, with speculation that the match against Manchester City could be a "last chance" for him to prove himself [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/real-madrid/news/real-madrid-sack-xabi-alonso-coach-man-city-game/d45745b318a96aef2273e5cf]. 2. **Team Performance**: Real Madrid's recent form has been troubling, with only one win in their last five league games, leading to a drop in morale and confidence within the squad [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/09/xabi-alonso-real-madrid-manchester-city-champions-league]. 3. **Dressing Room Dynamics**: There are concerns about Alonso's ability to maintain control over the locker room, as media reports suggest a disconnect between him and the players [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hurt-anger-disgrace-real-madrid-33024023]. 4. **Injury Concerns**: The potential absence of Kylian Mbappé due to a leg injury adds to the challenges facing Alonso, as the team prepares for a high-stakes match against a formidable opponent [https://ghettoradio.co.ke/man-city-vs-real-madrid-alonso-fights-for-job-in-champions-league-showdown]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Recent Match Results**: - Last 7 Matches: 2 Wins, 5 Losses - Notable Loss: 0-2 against Celta Vigo [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/xabi-alonso-under-pressure-team-news-before-real-madrid-vs-manchester-city-champions-league/article70371731.ece]. - **League Standing**: Real Madrid has fallen four points behind league leaders Barcelona, exacerbating the pressure on Alonso [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/xabi-alonso-under-pressure-team-news-before-real-madrid-vs-manchester-city-champions-league/article70371731.ece]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso In summary, **Xabi Alonso's future as Real Madrid's head coach hangs in the balance as the team prepares for a critical Champions League match against Manchester City**. The following points encapsulate the current situation: 1. **Alonso is under immense pressure** due to poor team performance and potential loss of player confidence. 2. **The match against Manchester City is crucial** for Alonso's job security, with reports suggesting it could be his last chance to turn things around. 3. **Injury concerns, particularly regarding Kylian Mbappé**, further complicate the team's preparations and strategy. As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Alonso and his ability to navigate this challenging period for Real Madrid [https://www.flashscore.dk/news/soccer-champions-league-under-pressure-xabi-alonso-still-upbeat-as-real-madrid-prepare-for-man-city-clash/Agrk9MYG][https://www.flashscore.com/news/soccer-champions-league-under-pressure-xabi-alonso-still-upbeat-as-real-madrid-prepare-for-man-city-clash/Agrk9MYG].