‘Grateful’ Alonso feels Real stars’ support amid slump after City loss

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said he feels backed by his squad to stay at the helm despite a 2-1 Champions League defeat by Manchester City on Wednesday.

Spanish media reported Alonso could be axed with a defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side, in the build-up to the game, and home fans whistled their team afterwards.

However Madrid’s overall performance was strong and Alonso said he was “grateful” to his players, even though they have won just twice in their last eight matches across all competitions.

“I feel the support of the players, we’re at (the training ground) every day together, preparing the games,” Alonso told reporters.

The coach said even though Madrid fell to a second consecutive defeat, he could not ask for more from them.

“The players are giving until their last breath, so I have nothing to reproach, I am very grateful for their attitude, day-to-day, and we have to continue,” said Alonso.

“The results are not what we want, we have to be self-critical... but keep working and believing that this will pass, because everything passes, and I’m convinced we can do it.”

Alonso’s players backed him after the game, publicly displaying support for the coach after media reports they had were unhappy with him in recent weeks.

Rodrygo, who scored his first goal in 33 matches, ran over to hug Alonso after sending Madrid ahead.

“It’s a difficult moment for us and for (Alonso) as well. Things aren’t going well... we wanted to show people we’re together with the coach,” Rodrygo told Movistar.

“We are together, we need this unity to keep moving forward and achieving our objectives.”

Defender Raul Asencio said that the team is with Alonso “100 percent”.

Madrid were without top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe for the game because of knee discomfort which forced him to miss training on Tuesday.

“It’s too soon to say if he will be fit for Sunday (against Alaves in La Liga), but today obviously he was not ready,” said Alonso.

“If he was, he would have played. If he’s not there we miss him.”

Meanwhile, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon put in a superb performance to help Athletic Bilbao to a 0-0 draw with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Simon, 28, made a string of saves in the Basque Country to keep the hosts’ hopes of a play-off spot alive.

The Parisians were frustrated by Athletic and Simon but move up to third in the table with two rounds of the league phase to play, including January 20’s trip to Sporting Lisbon and hosting Newcastle eight days later.

Spaniard Alex Berenguer kept his place on the right wing for Ernesto Valverde’s side having scored his first league goal of the season in last Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Athletico Madrid.

Portugal’s Nuno Mendes started at left-back for the visitors having missed their last two league games with a thigh issue.

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele was rested due to an illness.

The best chance of the opening half an hour fell to PSG’s Fabian Ruiz but he was unable to hit the target with a half volley after Senny Mayulu’s floated pass.

Barely 10 seconds from the break 56-time international Simon was finally tested as he blocked Mayulu’s effort from short range after a first half where the Parisians struggled to deal with the home side’s high press.

Three minutes after the break Mayulu forced Simon into a superb save, the 19-year-old bursting into the Basque box before the keeper’s outstanding block.

With half an hour to play Luis Enrique brougth Desire Doue on for Mayulu for his first game since suffering a hamstring injury on October 29, looking for the breakthrough.

Simon was beaten in the second-half, but Bradley Barcola’s shot rebounded off the crossbar.

With less than four minutes left, Simon was once again called into action, blocking another Ruiz effort before captain Yuri Berchiche cleared the follow up shot off his own line.

Agencies