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Real Madrid CF v RC Celta de Vigo - LaLiga EA Sports

Alonso defiant as under-fire coach insists Madrid can beat Man City

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has issued a defiant rallying cry ahead of his side’s crunch Champions League clash with Manchester City, insisting that the mood in the camp has shifted from anger to determination following the chaotic weekend defeat to Celta Vigo. The coach insists his side are "eager" to recover their form amid reports he could be sacked if they fail to win.

GFX Xabi Alonso Vinicius Jr Jude Bellingham

Alonso warned Bellingham & Vinicius can't 'cope well' with demands

German football legend Lothar Matthaus has issued a stark warning to Xabi Alonso, suggesting that Real Madrid superstars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior may struggle to adapt to his rigid tactical demands after years of "freedom" under Carlo Ancelotti. The Spanish side's recent struggles have sparked claims the coach could be sacked, with his damaged relationship with the Brazilian a major point of contention.

Klopp in line to take managerial reins at Real Madrid

Jurgen Klopp has reportedly emerged as a potential successor to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid after the club’s disastrous 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo. The German, who stepped away from frontline management after leaving Liverpool and now works as Red Bull’s global head of football, is reportedly one of two names under consideration to replace Alonso as Real Madrid weigh their options in what has rapidly become a full-blown crisis.

Real Madrid chiefs hold talks over Alonso's future after setback

Real Madrid figureheads have reportedly held talks over Xabi Alonso's future after a damaging 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo. Los Blancos suffered a disappointing home defeat, which included red cards to Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras, putting them further behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. Now, speculation is mounting that their upcoming Champions League clash with Manchester City could be pivotal for the 44-year-old.

Militao leaves Alonso with huge headache as injury crisis deepens

Real Madrid's defensive crisis has escalated into a full-blown emergency for manager Xabi Alonso after Sunday's chaotic 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, where star centre-back Eder Militao suffered a serious hamstring injury and defenders Fran García and Alvaro Carreras were both sent off, leaving Los Blancos decimated ahead of their critical Champions League clash against Manchester City.

Weekend winners & losers: From outspoken Salah to rotten Real

While the draw for the 2026 World Cup took centre-stage on Friday, all eyes were back on club football over the weekend as title races across Europe took yet more twists. The gap at the top of the Premier League has been reduced, which is in contrast to La Liga, where Barcelona stretched their lead over Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid

Alonso backs Mbappe to emulate Ronaldo at Madrid

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has backed star forward Kylian Mbappe to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu as the French superstar closes in on the Portugal icon's incredible Madrid record. Mbappe experienced a slow start to his journey as a Madrid player but by the New Year, he had fully adjusted to life in the Spanish capital and ended the 2024-25 season strongly. In the current campaign, he has scored 25 goals so far.

Xabi Alonso Thibaut Courtois Real Madrid

Courtois admits ‘better or worse’ moments with Alonso

Thibaut Courtois has acknowledged Real Madrid’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso has included “better or worse moments” after their vital 3-0 win over Athletic Club. The result snapped a run of three winless away games in La Liga and eased growing scrutiny around the squad. The Belgian goalkeeper also praised Los Blancos' response while urging the squad to maintain intensity.

Dressing-room rifts & rotten results: Real Madrid are in crisis

Not a single Real Madrid player spoke to the media on Sunday night. They don't have to, of course, but after Los Blancos drew 1-1 with struggling Girona, every single squad member walked through the mixed zone without acknowledging the awaiting press. It was emblematic of a shift at the club, the good vibes within this great institution falling apart.

Xabi Alonso Vinicius Junior Real Madrid 2025-26

Trouble for Real Madrid? Dressing room split on Alonso

Trouble may be brewing at Real Madrid, with Los Blancos’ dressing room said to be divided when it comes to head coach Xabi Alonso and the methods that he has introduced since taking the reins in the Spanish capital. Precious points have been dropped over recent weeks, leading to uncomfortable questions being asked of those underperforming on and off the field.

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Weekend winners & losers: Alonso & Madrid lurch into crisis

The latest weekend of matches around Europe brought with it top-of-the-table clashes, dramatic late goals and even fan rebellions as clubs around the continent look to get themselves into form ahead of the long winter to come. La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all have new leaders following the most recent round of matches, with some title races looking likely to be nail-biters all the way through to May.

Real Madrid CF v Valencia CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Alonso sends Bellingham message amid talk Real star is unhappy

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso insists he has a “very good relationship” with midfielder Jude Bellingham amid speculation suggesting there is growing tension between the pair. The Spaniard is adamant he has no issues with the England international, who has been in fine form since returning from the shoulder injury which disrupted his 2025-26 campaign.

Liverpool FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Vini Jr U-turn?! Madrid star ready to drop massive salary demands

Vinicius Jr has softened his stance over a blockbuster salary request and is now edging closer to accepting Real Madrid’s reduced contract proposal. The Brazilian, once determined to match Kylian Mbappe’s earnings, has shifted course just weeks after tensions with Xabi Alonso threatened to derail negotiations.

Elche CF v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports

Alonso insists he's handling Madrid pressure 'more calmly' than expected

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was delighted with his team's performance against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, claiming that the sensations within the dressing room are positive after breaking their three-game winless run. Alonso had come under a lot of pressure following Madrid's dramatic drop in form, but the manager assured that he is "handling it much more calmly than you might expect".

Elche CF v Levante UD - LaLiga EA Sports

Arteta to rival Alonso as he eyes move for Madrid target Mendoza

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly prepared to rival close friend Xabi Alonso as the Gunners eyes a move for Real Madrid target Rodrigo Mendoza. The Elche wonderkid, who has a €20 million release clause, has attracted widespread interest from across Europe following his eye-catching performances in La Liga. Premier League giants Manchester City are also keen on signing the youngster.

Alonso insists he's unfazed by Vinicius Jr's mutiny

Xabi Alonso has insisted that he's unfazed by reports of friction between him and Vinicius Junior as pressure ramps up on the Real Madrid manager amid the team's three-match winless run. The streak started with a loss at Liverpool in the Champions League, followed by back-to-back draws in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, which allowed Barcelona to cut the gap at the top of La Liga to just one point.

Frequently asked questions

: Kylian Mbappe prefers to play on the left wing in attack, although he has been used as a striker in recent years, first by Didier Deschamps for France, then by his ex-boss Luis Enrique at his former club PSG, and now by Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
: Kylian Mbappe was born in the 19th arrondissement of Paris in France.
: Kylian Mbappe completed his much-anticipated move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 and chose to wear the No.9, previously worn by his former French national teammate and Real Madrid's second highest goalscorer of all-time, Karim Benzema.
: Kylian Mbappe stands at 1.78m (5ft 11in), with his height not regarded as one of his strengths.
: Kylian Mbappe weighs 75kg (165 lbs), making him one of the fastest footballers on the planet.
: In 2004, Kylian Mbappe joined AS Bondy, a club from Bondy, Seine-Saint-Denis, located in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, where he was raised as a child. He attended trials at clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea, before eventually signing for Monaco's academy at the age of 14.
: No. Kylian Mbappe is yet to become a father.
: While Kylian Mbappe is known to keep his relationships away from the public eye, he is currently rumoured to be dating Belgian model Stephanie Rose Bertram. He is yet to get married, though.

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