Madrid dressing room 100% behind Alonso, insists Bellingham
Xabi Alonso is a man under pressure at Real Madrid but Jude Bellingham insists the squad are fully behind their head coach.
Jude Bellingham insists the Real Madrid dressing room remains "100%" behind under-fire coach Xabi Alonso after Wednesday's defeat to Manchester City.
Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 at Santiago Bernabeu despite having taken a 28th-minute lead through Rodrygo in the Champions League encounter.
Nico O'Reilly levelled for City with his first Champions League goal before Erling Haaland's penalty completed the turnaround for Pep Guardiola's men before half-time.
Madrid, who managed just one shot on target throughout, have consequently won just two of their past eight games in all competitions, and there were reports that the club's hierarchy were considering wielding the axe on Alonso if they lost this game, a little over six months since his appointment was confirmed.
But England midfielder Bellingham, speaking to TNT Sports, says the team is still fighting for the boss, who represented Madrid in a distinguished playing career.
"[We're behind the manager] 100%," Bellingham said. "The manager has been great. I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the boys do too.
"After that run of draws we had some great conversations internally and felt we'd put that form behind us.
"No one is downing tools, no one is complaining or moaning. We take it on the chin and keep fighting."
Madrid have now lost each of their last four Champions League meetings with English sides (two versus Arsenal, one versus Liverpool, one versus Man City).
It is only their second ever four-plus game losing streak against clubs from a specific nation in the European Cup/Champions League, after a run of five defeats to Italian sides from February 2008 to October 2009.
Indeed, since the start of last season, Madrid have lost five of their league-phase games in the Champions League – as many as they lost in the group stage of the competition from 2019-20 to 2023-24 combined beforehand.
"We're still trying to work it out within the changing room regardless of what goes on outside. We know that's not helpful," Bellingham added.
"One thing is how we're managing games. Certain points where we have to suffer it feels like we always concede and it puts us on the back foot and makes us have to play a way we don't want to.
"But in the changing room we have what we need to turn it around, we need maybe a bit of luck or maybe something we need to discuss internally. I have faith this season isn't over just because we're in a bad run of form."
Asked about the scrutiny he has faced personally, Bellingham added: "It's just life. This is what I've signed up for.
"I play for the biggest club in the world and one of the most scrutinised countries in the world. I don't want pity, I'm living the dream. I roll with the punches and the most important thing is that to me."
