Without Kylian Mbappé, the party is less crazy. Like Real Madrid’s season, everything started well, with the return to grace of “Mister Champions”, Rodrygo, scorer as often in the Champions League. Before the White House club plunges back into doubt.
First with Thibaut Courtois’ blunder and Nico O’Reilly’s equalizer, then with Antonio Rüdiger’s tackle in the area on Erling Haaland, then decisive on a penalty. Beaten 2-1 in the end, the Madrilenians can still thank their goalkeeper for having avoided worsening the score on several occasions.
The beginning of the end for Xabi Alonso
As is often the case, Xabi Alonso’s players scuttled each other. And the Spanish coach will be able to attack Clément Turpin as much as he wants for his refereeing decisions, this will not change anything in his situation: his team has only won two of its last eight matches and his presence on the Real Madrid bench is no longer assured for the rest of the season.
“We give everything, we showed today that we are 100% behind the coach,” assured Thibaut Courtois after the meeting on Canal +. It’s normal that people talk, but we’re focused on the idea of winning. We are with our coach, we fought until the last minute, the team’s spirit is good. »
“We are 100% behind the coach,” says Rodrygo in the mixed zone. We fully support Xabi Alonso. It’s a difficult time for the players and everyone, and I wanted to show that we support our coach. »
A large list of injured
With this new setback, the former Bayern Munich midfielder could well be dismissed from his position after only seven months at the club. An unfortunate situation which is explained in particular by great tensions in the locker room, but also by an infirmary which continues to fill up.
Hit in the hand and knee against Celta Vigo on Sunday in the league, Kylian Mbappé was on the bench this Wednesday, Eduardo Camavinga was out, as was Dean Huijsen, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Although it remains sixth in the Champions League standings and in a good position to reach the round of 16, Real Madrid is now four points behind FC Barcelona in the championship standings. It remains to be seen whether President Florentino Perez will offer the opportunity to Xabi Alonso and his staff to redress the situation: response in the days to come.
