Manchester City piled the pressure onto under-fire Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso with a comeback victory at the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening and one of his players has shared his thoughts on the scrutiny on his position
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham insists the dressing room remain behind Xabi Alonso – and believes it is down to the players to turn their season around. Alonso was under increasing scrutiny at the Bernabeu following a poor run of results.
Reports in Spain suggested that Alonso could be looking at the sack should they lose to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. And that was exactly what happened as Pep Guardiola’s side staged a stunning comeback.
Rodrygo had given Real the lead, only for goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland to turn the game on its head. Asked about the pressure on his manager, Bellingham assured that the squad remain behind him.
He said: “100%. 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.”
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He 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. 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.
“But in the changing room we have what we need to turn it around, we need maybe a bit of luck or maybe something we need to discuss internally. I have faith this season isn’t over just because we’re in a bad run of form.”
Bellingham was far from the only Madrid star to issue their thoughts on the club’s beleguered boss. Goalscorer Rodrygo also spoke out and claims that a lot of speculation surrounding Alonso’s position is just that. Speaking after Wednesday’s defeat, he said: “We stand with Xabi. Many things being said are lies.”
Rodrygo had made a public gesture in support of his manager during the game, having headed to the bench to celebrate with Alonso. On that celebration, he added: “Hug with Xabi? It’s a difficult time for the players and everyone, and I wanted to show that we’re behind our manager.”
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Former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Alonso was only appointed by the club in the summer following a hugely successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen.
He signed a three-year contract at the Bernabeu. He has also given his view on the pressure on his shoulders had said that any decision on his position does not lie with him.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, he said: “My future? This doesn’t depend on me. I’m focused on our next match.”
Alonso will certainly be hoping that Real can get back to winning ways over the weekend. They take on Alaves away from home and cut the gap to fierce rivals Barcelona at the top of the table to just one point.
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