Xabi Alonso’s last chance?
The situation is clear: Xabi Alonso must play with his team against Manchester City (Wednesday, 9 p.m., in REAL TOTAL-Live ticker, in Watchalong and at DAZN) convince, otherwise he will most likely lose his job. But as if success against Man City wasn’t difficult enough, more and more obstacles are falling in the 44-year-old Spaniard’s way – at least from a personnel perspective. In total there will be at least seven cancellations on the 6th CL matchday, possibly even more.
Before the game against City, not only Mendy, Alaba, Carvajal, Trent, Huijsen and Militão are missing, but also Mbappé and Camavinga!
Everything about the game?????????https://t.co/ZxoG4ttYUe???? pic.twitter.com/VwgEScVART— REAL TOTAL (@REAL_TOTAL) December 9, 2025
Quartet around Mbappé struck
There were only 17 professionals in the final training – instead, next was missing Eduardo Camavinga also Kylian Mbappé. Camavinga was substituted with an injury in the 3-0 win in Bilbao and was supposed to be rested against Celta (0-2), but on Tuesday he wasn’t able to train with his teammates. Like Mbappé, he only worked inside – the offensive star broke his ring finger in a fall against Celta, but should be able to play, even if it is said that he also has muscle problems in his left leg.
There are also the injured Éder Militão (torn muscle), Daniel Carvajal (knee), Ferland Mendy (thigh) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) as well as the still injured David Alaba and Dean Huijsen. And some stars who are questionable or at least not 100 percent fit. Antonio Rüdiger, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham were in the second and final session before the duel with the Citizens, but they are each slightly injured. Bellingham suffered a bloody wound to his face against Celta, Rüdiger also had problems in Bilbao and should actually be rested against Celta.
And now a Real Madrid, which is both mentally and personally very weak, has to show its best side again in order to keep the coach in office. And to make a place in the top 8 almost certain. Coach Alonso knows about the very precarious situation and said at the press conference that “we have toBe prepared for such situations – with calm, unity and responsibility“, but he still felt capable of turning things around: “We know that everything can be undone: from the anger we carry inside to the excitement that tomorrow’s game can bring. (…) Everything can change – for better or worse.“
After the desolate performance against Celta Vigo is now on matchday 6 of the Champions League… read more
