Xabi Alonso during Real Madrid’s defeat to Manchester City (Picture: Getty)
Real Madrid have decided to give Xabi Alonso more time to turn things around at the Bernabeu despite the Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
Madrid have won just two of their last eight games following a 2-1 loss to Premier League giants Man City.
The build-up to the Champions League showdown was dominated by speculation Alonso could lose his job should his side fall to defeat against Manchester City.
Rodrygo gave the Spanish giants the lead on Wednesday night but Real Madrid still trailed at half-time thanks to Man City goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland.
Real Madrid supporters made their frustration known as the hosts struggled to find an equaliser in the second half, although Alonso’s side did improve towards the end of the game as they chased a leveller.
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But Madrid were still jeered off for the second home match in a row following a shock 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo at the weekend.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Real Madrid will give Alonso more time despite the Champions League setback against Pep Guardiola’s City.
Man City beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu (Picture: Getty)
The defeat leaves Madrid seventh in the Champions League, with the top-eight teams in Europe qualifying automatically for the knockout stages.
A number of Real Madrid players came out to show support to Alonso after the Man City loss.
Asked if the players were still behind Alonso, who arrived at the Bernabeu over the summer following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure, Jude Bellingham said: ‘100%.
Jude Bellingham after Madrid’s latest defeat (Picture: Getty)
‘The manager has been great. I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the boys do too.
‘After that run of draws we had some great conversations internally and felt we’d put that form behind us but the last couple of games.
‘No one is downing tools, no one complaining or moaning. We take it on the chin and keep fighting.’
Pressed on the reasons Real Madrid are struggling, England star Bellingham added: ‘We’re still trying to work it out within the changing room regardless of what goes on outside. We know that’s not helpful.
“We are in a very complicated moment…We are with [Xabi Alonso]. We need this unity to move forward.” 🗣️Rodrygo speaks out in support of Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso after a tough UCL loss at the Bernabéu 💪 pic.twitter.com/57ny2YwDWA
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 10, 2025
‘One thing is how we’re managing games. Certain points where we have to suffer it feels like we always concede and it puts us on the back foot and makes us have to play a way we don’t want to.’
Alonso, meanwhile, urged his players to ‘believe that the tough times will pass’ after Manchester City left the Bernabeu with three Champions League points.
‘This was a tight game,’ the former Bayer Leverkusen boss and Liverpool midfielder said. ‘Each of the sides were dominant in phases.
‘They turned it round in a short space of time with their corner and the penalty, but we kept working, kept giving everything until my players’ last breath – there’s nothing to reproach the team for after a performance like this.
‘We are self-critical, but we need to keep believing, keep working and believe that the tough times will pass.’
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