Preview: Real Madrid and Man City set for meet for fifth successive season in the UCL
One promising Spanish manager could be on the brink of seeing his big job taken away, as Real Madrid demand an overdue win. Standing in his way, perhaps the greatest of all the Spanish tacticians.
By Karl Matchett
On the brink
It was all going so well for Xabi Alonso, but a run of non-victories only ever means one thing at the Santiago Bernabéu: crisis talk. Local headlines suggest the former Leverkusen boss has one match – this match against Manchester City, of all teams – to keep himself in the hotseat. It might have been different had every other Champions League result been more favourable at least, more time allowed for a legend in his playing days to put more of his own emphasis on the side as a coach. But Real have never been known for incredible patience and it already looks like Alonso is on borrowed time. One big issue has been that he has lost the big games: PSG in the Club World Cup, Atlético in the derby, Liverpool in the Champions League. A narrow win in El Clásico isn’t enough for this demanding club.
Resurgence
For his opposite number it must feel surreal; Pep Guardiola saw his City side fail badly last term but has been allowed to restock and rebuild. While they are perhaps still not in completely top gear, the signs are there that consistency is close to returning, the inexorable City machine ramping up for another multi-title tilt.
With all that going on you could be forgiven for being surprised at which team is top eight after four wins in five in Europe, but Real head into the game sixth to City’s 12th. If they don’t end it above them, change is probably in the offing.
Recent form
Two wins in seven simply isn’t Real Madrid form and Xabi Alonso has no credit in the bank at this club, despite 13 wins in 14 across all competitions right before this bad run started. A 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo at the weekend was decidedly not ideal preparation. Man City have won three in a row since back-to-back defeats, while they have three wins and a draw in Europe as well as the loss last time out to Alonso’s former club, Bayer Leverkusen.
Team news
A full defensive line is out for Real with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen and Ferland Mendy injured. Eduardo Camavinga is a doubt too.
City are missing Rodri, John Stones and Mateo Kovačić.
Key player
Let all the attackers do their thing, sure (see below) – but you have to stop the opposition. Aurélien Tchouaméni has been playing at centre-back this term when needed which will skew his stats somewhat but he’s an elite ball-winner all the same back in midfield, with a 71% duel win ratio in LaLiga ranking him top in that regard. He’ll need that trait many times over in midweek.
Prediction
Real will raise their game when the stakes are high but it might only be prolonging the inevitable: Real Madrid 3 Man City 2.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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