Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Real Madrid manager has been thrown into the spotlight after an embarrassing 2–0 home defeat to Celta Vigo left fans at the Santiago Bernabéu furious and restless. The loss, which occurred in the early hours of Monday (December 8, 2025), was one of Los Blancos’ most shocking results of the season—made worse by the fact that Madrid finished the game with only nine players on the pitch.
Fran García and Álvaro Carreras were both sent off in a chaotic match that stunned home supporters and intensified pressure on the dressing room. The jeers that echoed throughout the stadium at full time underlined the frustration of a fanbase accustomed to excellence but now confronted with inconsistency and indiscipline.
As tensions mounted, Real Madrid’s board was forced to evaluate Alonso’s position—as the club now stands at a crossroads heading into a decisive Champions League showdown against Manchester City.
Board Issues Verdict on Alonso’s Future—For Now
Speculation about a potential sacking surged immediately after the defeat, with several Spanish outlets reporting that Alonso’s job was “under serious review.” However, according to AS, the Real Madrid hierarchy opted against making any immediate decisions.
The loss to Celta Vigo, while humiliating, will not trigger an instant dismissal. The board still backs Alonso in the short term and believes he deserves the chance to respond.
Even so, Alonso made no attempt to hide his disappointment after the match.
“We are all angry. Clearly, this was not the performance we wanted,” he admitted.
“This is not the result we expected.”
His words reflected a dressing room under immense pressure—a team searching for stability at a crucial stage of the season.
A Do-or-Die Champions League Test Against Manchester City
Although Alonso survived the post-match fallout, the club has identified the upcoming Champions League encounter with Manchester City as the defining test of his leadership. The match is no longer just a group-stage fixture—it is a judgment day for Madrid’s season and possibly for Alonso himself.
The Bernabéu showdown will reveal whether the team can recover from domestic disaster and display the resilience expected from Real Madrid.
Alonso urged his squad to reset quickly:
“We must turn this around as soon as possible,” the former Bayer Leverkusen boss emphasized.
“We have a Champions League match against City where we must react—and remove this bitter taste from our mouths.”
It was a clear message: the time for excuses is over.
Alonso Rejects Notion That His Job Hangs on One Match
Despite the media frenzy, Alonso brushed aside suggestions that his future hinges entirely on the Manchester City result. The Spaniard insisted he remains focused on football, not the noise around him.
“We are playing for three Champions League points—nothing more,” he said when asked about his job security.
“We are in a good position in Europe. That is what is at stake.
We want to perform well and play much better than we did today.”
Still, even his calm composure cannot mask the fact that Real Madrid is under the microscope. A poor performance against the European champions would undoubtedly intensify questions about Alonso’s long-term suitability.
Guardiola’s Men Ready—and Ruthless
Manchester City arrive in Spain in red-hot form, having dismantled Sunderland 3–0 in the Premier League. Pep Guardiola’s side looks sharp, balanced, and confident—everything Madrid currently is not.
Yet Guardiola refused to underestimate Real Madrid, especially at the Bernabéu—a stadium that has produced countless European miracles and heartbreaks for visiting teams.
“It’s never an easy place to play,” Guardiola warned.
“On the biggest stages, I always hope my team shows who we really are.”
The respect was clear, but so was Guardiola’s belief in his squad’s strength. City will not be intimidated by Madrid’s desperation—they may well exploit it.
Madrid Fans Await a Response: Revival or Collapse?
Real Madrid now trail Barcelona by four points in La Liga, and the mood around the club has grown increasingly volatile. Two red cards, tactical confusion, and a lack of discipline against Celta Vigo have only added fuel to the fire.
For Alonso, the upcoming midweek clash may not officially decide his future, but it will set the tone for everything that follows. A convincing performance could restore belief and steady the ship; another collapse could plunge Madrid deeper into crisis.
Supporters are demanding answers—and above all, results.
With pressure mounting from all sides, the question looms:
Will Real Madrid rise to the moment… or fall further under the weight of expectation?
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