Manager Alonso Treading a Fine Line at Real Madrid Even With Dressing Room Backing.

No forward in the club's annals had experienced scoreless for as long as Rodrygo, but finally he was unleashed and he had a declaration to deliver, executed for the world to see. The Brazilian, who had not scored in an extended drought and was beginning only his fifth game this season, beat shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma to hand his team the opening goal against the English champions. Then he wheeled and sprinted towards the bench to greet Xabi Alonso, the boss in the spotlight for whom this could represent an profound liberation.

“It’s a challenging time for him, similar to how it is for us,” Rodrygo commented. “Performances aren't working out and I sought to demonstrate the public that we are united with the coach.”

By the time Rodrygo addressed the media, the advantage had been taken from them, a setback taking its place. City had turned it around, going 2-1 ahead with “very little”, Alonso noted. That can happen when you’re in a “fragile” condition, he elaborated, but at least Madrid had reacted. Ultimately, they could not pull off a turnaround. Endrick, on as a substitute having played 11 minutes all season, struck the crossbar in the dying moments.

A Delayed Sentence

“The effort fell short,” Rodrygo admitted. The question was whether it would be enough for Alonso to retain his job. “We didn’t feel that [this was a trial of the coach],” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insisted, but that was how it had been portrayed in the media, and how it was perceived internally. “Our performance proved that we’re supporting the coach: we have performed creditably, provided 100%,” Courtois added. And so the axe was withheld, sentencing delayed, with matches against Alavés and Sevilla on the horizon.

A Different Type of Defeat

Madrid had been beaten at home for the second occasion in four days, perpetuating their uninspiring streak to two wins in eight, but this felt a little different. This was Manchester City, not a domestic opponent. Stripped down, they had competed with intensity, the most obvious and most critical criticism not levelled at them on this night. With eight men out injured, they had lost only to a messy goal and a spot-kick, coming close to securing something at the death. There were “a lot of very good things” about this showing, the boss argued, and there could be “no reproach” of his players, not this time.

The Fans' Muted Response

That was not entirely the full story. There were moments in the latter period, as discontent grew, when the Santiago Bernabéu had jeered. At the conclusion, a section of supporters had continued, although there was likewise some applause. But primarily, there was a quiet procession to the exits. “We understand that, we comprehend it,” Rodrygo noted. Alonso added: “It’s nothing that doesn't occur before. And there were times when they applauded too.”

Dressing Room Backing Remains Strong

“I feel the support of the players,” Alonso declared. And if he supported them, they stood by him too, at least in front of the public. There has been a rapprochement, conversations: the coach had considered them, arguably more than they had accommodated him, finding a point not quite in the center.

The longevity of a fix that is continues to be an unresolved issue. One seemingly minor incident in the post-match press conference felt significant. Asked about Pep Guardiola’s counsel to stick to his principles, Alonso had allowed that idea to linger, answering: “I have a good relationship with Pep, we understand each other well and he understands what he is saying.”

A Basis of Reaction

Above all though, he could be content that there was a fight, a pushback. Madrid’s players had not abandoned their coach during the game and after it they stood up for him. Part of it may have been for show, done out of professionalism or self-preservation, but in this climate, it was important. The effort with which they played had been as well – even if there is a danger of the most fundamental of requirements somehow being framed as a form of positive.

The previous day, Aurélien Tchouaméni had argued the coach had a strategy, that their failings were not his doing. “I believe my colleague Aurélien said it in the press conference,” Raúl Asencio said after full-time. “The key is [for] the players to improve the mindset. The attitude is the key thing and today we have observed a difference.”

Jude Bellingham, questioned if they were supporting the coach, also replied with a figure: “100%.”

“We are continuing trying to figure it out in the changing room,” he continued. “We know that the [outside] chatter will not be helpful so it is about attempting to resolve it in there.”

“Personally, I feel the manager has been excellent. I individually have a strong connection with him,” Bellingham added. “After the spell of games where we drew a few, we had some very productive conversations behind the scenes.”

“Everything ends in the end,” Alonso philosophized, perhaps talking as much about adversity as anything else.