📸 Real's stunning choreography fires up fans for CL showdown | OneFootball

If you believe the public consensus, Madrid’s Xabi Alonso is currently experiencing the classic “win or clear your desk” moments in these Champions League minutes.

If Real’s crisis deepens with a defeat against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, we might have seen Alonso on the bench at the Santiago Bernabéu for the last time today—at least if the reports from Spain are to be believed. 

The fans of Los Blancos certainly seem determined to keep their coach—they’re doing everything they can to help their team secure the next three points in today’s highlight match. Even before kickoff, they put on an impressive choreo to make sure that everyone on the pitch could feel just how much Madrid stands behind its team.

And this support almost paid off immediately: Both the Real coach and Vinícius Júnior were already celebrating a supposed penalty after just three minutes, which the referee initially awarded. But it quickly became clear: although Vinícius was clearly fouled by Matheus Nunes, he was just as clearly outside the penalty area when it happened.

The penalty was overturned, and instead, a free kick was awarded right on the edge of the box. Federico Valverde’s attempt was deflected and went just wide of the right post—so, neither a penalty nor an early lead.

But the lead did come before halftime! In the 28th minute, Rodrygo scored after an assist from Bellingham to put Real ahead, sending the arena into a frenzy. Ten minutes before halftime, however, Nico O’Reilly silenced most of the stadium by scoring the equalizer for the Citizens. Just before the halftime whistle, Haaland converted a penalty to give City the lead, making the stadium even quieter. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU - AFP or licensors