64 h. ago Football Daily | Shrill whistles and sycophancy, but still extreme heat on Xabi Alonso

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!Going into Wednesday night’s match against Manchester City, Xabi Alonso’s future as head coach of Real Madrid seemed as up in the air as a Spanish omelette being flipped by celebrity chef Keith Floyd in his pomp. Just 14 games into his reign, the only unsightly blot on the 44-year-old’s copybook had been an unacceptable 5-2 hammering at the hands of Atlético. But, since the start of November, Madrid have only won three in nine, with arguably their most unpalatable results coming in the form of draws with supposed La Liga cannon fodder, including Elche and Girona, culminating in Sunday’s embarrassing home defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo. In Bigger Cup, they still look set fair to secure an all-important top eight spot despite their reverse at the hands of City, a defeat which was greeted by shrill whistles of disapproval from hard-to-please fans who had actually just seen their knack-ravaged team play reasonably well. Continue read...

Politics

64 h. ago Xabi Alonso walking thin line at Madrid even with dressing room backing

Despite signs of renewed intensity, Real Madrid fell to their second loss in four days against Manchester City. How long can a positive reaction overshadow negative results?No attacker in Real Madrid’s history had gone without a goal for as long as Rodrygo but at last he was released and he had a message to deliver, performed for public consumption. The Brazilian, who had not scored in nine months and was starting only his fifth game this season, beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Manchester City. Then he turned and ran towards the touchline to embrace Xabi Alonso, the manager on the edge for whom this could prove an even greater release.“It’s a difficult moment for him, like it is for us,” Rodrygo said. “Things aren’t coming off and I wanted to show people that we are together with the coach. People say a lot of things and I just wanted to show that we are united. We need that unity to keep going.” By the time Rodrygo spoke, the lead had been taken from them, a...

Politics

66 h. ago Real Madrid make Xabi Alonso sack decision after Man City defeat and 'lies' claim

Real Madrid lost a home game for the second time in four days as Manchester City became the latest side to beat them, cranking up the pressure on manager Xabi Alonso

Politics

67 h. ago Erling Haaland footage shows Man City star's hilarious antics as he teases Real Madrid rival

Erling Haaland shared a funny moment with Real Madrid's Arda Guler during Manchester City's 2-1 Champions League victory at the Bernabeu, with the 6ft 4in striker amused as the 5ft 7in midfielder marked him at a corner

Culture

67 h. ago Losing grip on games is worry for Guardiola despite City finding way past Madrid

Youthful side struggles off the ball and head coach knows more control is needed to take big prizes this season“Some things were happening,” Josko Gvardiol said, with glorious understatement, as he reflected on the chaos of Manchester City’s start at Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The defender had been guilty of a lapse at the very outset, caught in possession, Madrid suddenly in and running. Then, there was the penalty that was not.It was a reckless swipe in the third minute by Matheus Nunes on Vinícius Júnior, the referee, Clément Turpin, pointing to the spot only for the VAR to step in and rule that the offence was fractionally outside the area. City’s heads spun and a tone was set. The opening half-hour was an uncomfortable experience for them and by the time that spell had ended, Madrid were 1-0 up through Rodrygo and looking good for a much-needed victory. Continue reading...

Politics

68 h. ago Jude Bellingham has ‘full faith’ as pressure increases on Xabi Alonso

Manchester City inflicted Real Madrid’s second straight home defeat on Wednesday, leaving them with only two wins in their last eight games.

Events

68 h. ago Erling Haaland's cheeky antics spotted in new footage as he taunts Real Madrid star

Erling Haaland tickled fans with his hilarious reaction to Arda Guler marking him at a corner during Manchester City's Champions League win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday

Politics

69 h. ago What Manchester City’s unpredictability reveals about their Champions League hopes

Victory at the Bernabeau brings deserved plaudits but Pep Guardiola knows his team still needs to improve

Sport

69 h. ago Man City can unlock double Champions League benefit after Real Madrid win after UEFA decision

Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday night to move a step closer to securing a top eight finish in the Champions League

Sport

69 h. ago Pep Guardiola sends Arsenal ominous warning after Man City beat Real Madrid

Manchester City came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, but Pep Guardiola insists that his team aren't the finished article

Events

2 d. ago Pep Guardiola says Man City ‘far away’ from winning Champions League despite Real Madrid win

Man City beat Real Madrid on Wednesday to lift them to fourth in the league phase standings

Sport

3 d. ago 'Nervous' Erling Haaland takes cheeky pop at Jamie Carragher over Mohamed Salah fallout

Erling Haaland poked fun at Jamie Carragher during a CBS Sports interview following Manchester City's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League

Politics

3 d. ago Erling Haaland trolls Jamie Carragher over brutal Mo Salah rant

Erling Haaland poked fun at Jamie Carragher during a CBS Sports interview following Manchester City's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League

Politics

3 d. ago Man City may have finally found their next Riyad Mahrez after Real Madrid win

Savinho took Riyad Mahrez's shirt number last season but there is a new player showing the traits that made Pep Guardiola love the Algerian

Politics

3 d. ago Real Madrid show fight but another setback leaves Xabi Alonso’s future on knife

The hosts battled against Manchester City but a second successive home defeat pushes manager towards exitOn the night they were going to sack him, Xabi Alonso watched his team rise against their fate and perhaps his, but fall again. He listened to the fans whistle and the final whistle, embraced the man who had been his mentor and then, defeated for the second time in four days here, disappeared straight down the Bernabéu tunnel without looking back. Real Madrid had taken the game to Manchester City, going ahead first and chasing another comeback later. But in the end, in the words of Rodrygo, whose first goal in 33 games had given them hope, “it was not enough”.The question now is whether it will be enough to rescue the coach Rodrygo had run to embrace, a gesture of solidarity on the edge of the abyss. Late last Sunday night in one of the offices here, some in the club’s hierarchy had been determined to get rid of the coach who had presided over two wins in seven. The sentence was ...

Politics

3 d. ago Erling Haaland's cheeky Arsenal comment to Laura Woods speaks volumes after Man City win

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland joked that Arsenal fan Laura Woods 'probably doesn't like him' during a live TNT Sports interview after City's win over Real Madrid

Politics

3 d. ago Pep Guardiola says Manchester City need to be better despite win at Real Madrid

The result lifted City to fourth in the league phase standings.

Politics

3 d. ago Real Madrid make Xabi Alonso sack decision after Man City defeat

New manager under pressure after run of two wins in seven

Politics

3 d. ago Pep Guardiola sends major Champions League message after Man City vs Real Madrid

Manchester City beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Bernabeu to move a step closer to securing a top eight finish in the Champions League

Sport

3 d. ago Jude Bellingham reveals dressing room's true feelings on Xabi Alonso amid sack pressure

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

Events