Madrid, Spain – In a surprising turn of events at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid fell to Manchester City 2-1 in Wednesday's Champions League match, with star forward Kylian Mbappé remaining an unused substitute. The decision left many fans and analysts questioning coach Xabi Alonso's strategy as pressure mounts on the relatively new manager.
Mbappé, who has been a pivotal figure for Los Blancos this season with 25 goals, was initially named in the squad despite concerns about a minor knee injury that kept him out of Tuesday's training session. However, the French international watched the entire game from the bench as his team struggled to break down a resolute Manchester City side.
Real Madrid took the lead in the 28th minute through Rodrygo, who ended a 32-game goal drought with a sharp finish. However, City responded swiftly, with Nico O'Reilly equalizing just seven minutes later. Erling Haaland then converted a penalty before halftime to give the visitors the advantage.
Throughout the match, Mbappé was seen actively engaged from the sidelines. He was among the Madrid players who complained about a potential foul on Antonio Rudiger during the corner that led to City's first-half equalizer, even pointing this out to the fourth official. Despite his apparent eagerness and the team's need for a spark, Alonso opted not to bring him on. Instead, Alonso brought on Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, and Endrick as substitutes. Mbappé did not even warm up.
The loss puts further pressure on Xabi Alonso, whose team has struggled for consistency in recent weeks. Real Madrid has only managed two wins in their last eight games across all competitions, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in La Liga. This defeat leaves Real Madrid potentially outside the top eight.
Alonso acknowledged the pressure, stating that his sole focus was on the City game and that he was looking forward to the challenge. He emphasized the importance of creating a special atmosphere at the Bernabéu and channeling any negative energy into a positive performance.
The absence of Mbappé from the action raises questions about his fitness and Alonso's tactical decisions. The forward had been in excellent form prior to this match, with seven goals in his previous three appearances before the Celta Vigo game. He is also the leading scorer in both the Champions League and La Liga.
Adding to Real Madrid's woes, the team is currently dealing with a significant injury crisis in defense. Éder Militão is sidelined for an extended period, joining Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Dean Huijsen on the injury list. Eduardo Camavinga is also unavailable.
The Champions League has become a familiar battleground for Real Madrid and Manchester City, with the two sides clashing frequently in recent years. This latest encounter adds another chapter to their ongoing rivalry, with City gaining the upper hand this time around.
With the win, Manchester City moves into a stronger position in the Champions League standings, while Real Madrid faces an uphill battle to secure their place in the top eight. The pressure is now on Alonso to find a way to turn things around and navigate his team through this difficult period.
