Alonso under pressure ahead of Manchester City clash, future at risk

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is facing growing pressure ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City, with Marca reporting that he could be dismissed if the team fails to deliver a strong performance.

The concern follows a difficult weekend at the Santiago Bernabéu, where club president Florentino Pérez and senior executives convened a late-night crisis meeting after Madrid’s 2–0 loss to Celta Vigo. The defeat leaves the club four points behind Barcelona, a significant drop from the five-point lead they held just over a month ago.

According to Marca, the board’s discussions highlighted worries over the squad’s recent poor form, an expanding injury list, and what the club sees as “unfavourable refereeing decisions” in La Liga.

However, the report emphasizes that the main source of tension is Alonso’s relationship with some players in the dressing room, with certain recent selection choices reportedly causing friction among key members.

“Wednesday’s match against Manchester City is being viewed as a decisive test for Xabi Alonso’s future,” Marca reports, noting that club officials feel the team “must show a clear reaction on the pitch.”

The outlet adds that potential replacements have already been considered internally. Zinedine Zidane is cited as the leading candidate should a managerial change occur, while Jürgen Klopp is regarded as a more complex option due to his current sabbatical.

The club has not publicly commented on Alonso’s job security, but the upcoming Champions League fixture is expected to significantly influence the season’s trajectory and could prompt major decisions regarding the coaching staff and squad in the summer.