Alonso sends defiant message to Real Madrid chiefs ahead of decisive City clash

Xabi Alonso is under pressure after overseeing a poor run of the results and the former Liverpool midfielder has spoken amid speculation Real Madrid could sack him this week

Xabi Alonso insisted he has the backing of his players and staff amid reports he will be sacked if Real Madrid lose to Manchester City on Wednesday night. “This is a team, and we're all in this together,” he claimed.

The Spanish giants have won only two matches in seven starting with their Champions defeat at Anfield last month. And Sunday’s catastrophic home defeat to Celta Vigo - where three players were sent off and the team booed off- leaves Real Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona.

They were five points clear in October after Alonso started his reign with 13 wins from 14. But the board of the 15-time Champions League winners held an emergency meeting after the shambolic Celta defeat. And Marca claimed the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder will be fired if they suffer another loss at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Another return for Zinedine Zidane or luring Jurgen Klopp from his role as Red Bull ’s head of global soccer would be options for his replacement.

But Alonso, who only replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, said in his pre-match press conference this morning: “This is a team, and we're all in this together. When you're the Real Madrid coach, you have to be prepared to enjoy these situations calmly and responsibly. I'm really looking forward to everything that's coming, which starts tomorrow. The Celta game is over and today it's just City. In football, things can change quickly, and we're in that moment now.

“City is the only thing on our minds. It’s the Champions League, we’re playing at the Bernabéu, and I’m sure the atmosphere will be special and different because of the energy that’s created. That’s what’s on our minds right now.”

Asked directly about the reports of his impending dismissal, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss said: "My focus is on the pitch, on City. I'm focused on that. The fans will be looking ahead to tomorrow's game, they'll be getting excited, just like us, and we hope to play a good match and shake off this feeling we had yesterday.”

Like Arne Slot with Mo Salah at Liverpool, Alonso has faced problems with a superstar this season. Vinicius Jr reacted furiously when he was subbed off during the 2-1 El Clasico win in October where Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored.

Ancelotti, who has now taken over as Brazil boss, had a much more player-friendly approach than the intense Alonso.

Asked if he would repeat the substitution of Vini in El Clásico, Alonso responded: "I don't know why you're asking. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. We're in a different place now. What I see on the field is the decision I have to make, and I have no doubt about that."

Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, has always been touted as a future Anfield boss.

Asked about the Salah affair, he said: "These are decisions that have been made in Liverpool. Obviously, we're sure to miss many details of what's happening, and that's why it's not up to me to evaluate it."

Alonso preferred to focus on facing his former Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola.

"It's a big game,” he said. “The atmosphere at the Bernabéu will be like a Champions League night. The players already know what kind of match we're going to have and we hope to play a good game. We are mentally prepared to face everything that lies ahead. The team is united and convinced that we can win tomorrow.”