Real Madrid players voiced strong support for manager Xabi Alonso following Wednesday\'s 2-1 Champions League loss to Manchester City, with midfielder Jude Bellingham and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois publicly backing the embattled coach. The defeat extended Madrid\'s poor form to one win in five LaLiga matches amid reports that club executives met to discuss Alonso\'s future.
ESPN reported that club officials recently convened to discuss the first-year manager\'s position following Sunday\'s 2-0 home loss to Celta Vigo. The defeat to City marked another setback for a team that began the season winning 11 of its first 12 LaLiga games before entering a slump.
Bellingham emphasized squad unity despite the challenging results. The England international said players maintained full confidence in Alonso\'s leadership and approach.
\"The manager\'s been great,\" Bellingham told TNT Sports. \"I\'ve personally got a great relationship with him, a lot of the lads do as well. After the first run of games where we drew a few, we had some great conversations internally. In the last couple of games, we\'ve just let ourselves down again. But no one is downing tools, no one is complaining, moaning, thinking the season is over.\"
Courtois dismissed suggestions that the City match served as a test for Alonso\'s position. The Belgian goalkeeper insisted the squad remained committed to the manager despite dropping points in LaLiga and risking a fall outside the top eight in Champions League standings.
\"We don\'t see it that way,\" Courtois told Movistar. \"We want to win because we know the situation we\'re in. We\'ve dropped too many points in LaLiga, and although we\'re doing well in the Champions League, we can\'t afford to fall out of the top eight. But I think today we showed that we\'re behind the manager.\"
Madrid played without eight first-team players including Kylian Mbappe, who sat as an unused substitute. Rodrygo put Madrid ahead before Nico O\'Reilly equalized and Erling Haaland converted the winning penalty.
Alonso understood fan frustration but defended his team\'s effort given the injury crisis. He declined to confirm Mbappe\'s availability for Sunday\'s match at Alaves.
\"The team kept going, we tried until the end, and with all the difficulties we have with injuries, the players gave everything,\" Alonso said. \"Today I have nothing to criticize.\"