‘To the death’ – Real Madrid players send clear Xabi Alonso message amid 34-year unwanted first in Europe

Xabi Alonso may be facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid – but the players are firmly behind the Spanish legend.

Los Blancos suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night at the Bernabeu to put even more pressure on Alonso.

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talkSPORT reported earlier this week how there were big question marks over Alonso’s future.

A 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo last weekend led to boos at the Bernabeu, and those jeers were once again ever-present following the full-time whistle against the Citizens.

It was Rodrygo who made it an ideal start for Real in the 28th minute, only to be behind 15 minutes later following goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland.

Incredibly, it was the first time since against Sparktak Moscow in March 1991 that Real were behind at the break in a European Cup/Champions League match when taking the lead.

The hosts pressed for a late equaliser, but City never looked in real danger.

Madrid only mustered one shot on target in the whole match – their lowest tally in a Champions League match on home soil since records began in the 2003/04 season.

Their latest defeat – Real’s fifth under the tutelage of Alonso from his 29 matches in charge across all competitions – leaves them hanging onto seventh spot in the 36-game table ahead of matches with Monaco and Benfica.

Al aboard

But crucially for Alonso, he retains the full backing of the Real squad, with Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio giving him messages of support after the game.

When asked by TNT Sports whether the players are behind the manager, Bellingham, who wasted a key chance in the second half, said: “100 per cent.

“The manager has been great, I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the boys do too.

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“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’s complaining or moaning, we take it on the chin and keep fighting.”

As for goalscorer Rodrgyo, he remarked: “We are with Xabi Alonso.

“We stand with him, many things are being said, but all are lies.”

Meanwhile defender Asensio stated: “We are with Xabi Alonso to the death.

“We understand his message, you saw the change of attitude tonight.”

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Xabi Alonso only succeeded former Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid in June.

But it remains to be seen whether the Real board will make a drastic decision on Alonso just six months after luring him away from Bayer Leverkusen.

Should the 2010 World Cup winner be dismissed, Real could look to promote ex-Liverpool right-back Alvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa has been in charge of Castilla – Madrid’s reserve team – since May.

Meanwhile, European football broadcaster Andy Brassell believes that Zinedine Zidane could be whisked back in for a third spell as Real boss.