Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Manchester City | UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

The aftermath of Real Madrid’s defeat to Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu has been devastating, not only for the players but also for manager Xabi Alonso, who is largely being faulted as the one responsible for the situation.

The streets of Madrid are restless, and the team’s performance against the Galicians only aggravated the already predominant feeling that the team are underperforming. Needless to say, the big Champions League night could not have come at a worse time.

Tomorrow, Los Blancos lock horns with Manchester City in Europe’s premier competition. Coming off two wins in their last seven games, they are far from the form they would have liked to be in.

Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, have lost just two of their last nine games across all competitions and are currently on a three-game winning streak. They will undoubtedly fancy their chances come Wednesday night.

Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Real Madrid vs Manchester City.

Defensive crisis once more

Real Madrid just cannot catch a break with injuries this season, and just when it seemed like they were taking matters back under control with a win at San Mames, the squad has collapsed once more.

Trent Alexander-Arnold left the field injured against Athletic Club, as did Eduardo Camavinga. The players joined Dean Huijsen, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy, all of whom were already injured before the game.

In the team’s most recent game against Celta Vigo, the defence took another massive hit when Eder Militao left the field unable to walk. Tests have confirmed a hamstring tear and he will be out for four months at the very least.

Facing Pep Guardiola’s side tomorrow, Alonso is without both his starting right-backs, three central defenders, and a star defensive midfielder. The defence, therefore, is in shambles.

With an in-form Erling Haaland set to arrive, Alonso would have wanted his best players available for the big game but will not have to do with a makeshift defence in what comes as a big blow.

All signs point to Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger starting in central defence with Federico Valverde at right-back, creating a situation that is far from ideal.

The talisman to sit out?

Will Mbappe play or not? (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

If Real Madrid’s pre-existing injury list was not enough, the team suffered yet another possible setback earlier today when Kylian Mbappe did not train with the group through discomfort.

Certain outlets have gone on to report that the player will even miss the game against Manchester City in what would be a game-defining absence for the team. Understandably, however, Real Madrid will wait until the nth moment before definitively taking a call.

All efforts will be made to include Mbappe in the squad, but the situation does not look promising and he continues to be a massive doubt ahead of the game. Needless to say, he is unlikely to start or be at 100% even if he does make it to the squad.

Mbappe has been one of the few bright spots in the team’s campaign so far, and the Frenchman has virtually carried Los Blancos’ attack through thick and thin this season. He has, in fact, scored more than half of the team’s goals.

Not having Mbappe against Manchester City, added to the already pre-existing list of injured players, could virtually make it a no-contest. After all, the team have been lacklustre in recent weeks and the talisman’s absence will dampen the mood further.

Alonso’s decisive night?

The defeat to Celta Vigo at the weekend left a very sour taste in the mouths of Real Madrid fans across the globe, let alone the administration who were understandably furious with the team’s display.

After all, the referee can be blamed partially for the result but the fact remains that Real Madrid were simply not good enough, committed to the cause, or driven to bring home three points on the night.

The players have to shoulder a significant part of the responsibility for the same, but it is understandably Xabi Alonso who has the fingers pointed directly towards him.

The team’s poor run in La Liga over the past month, moreover, has reportedly brought a situation where his job is on the line.

As relayed by multiple sources, Alonso could stand to lose his job after the game tomorrow night if Real Madrid lose to Manchester City, especially if it is by a heavy margin. The fixture, therefore, is a massive one for the coach.

Alonso will not have many resources to work with to pull off the near-impossible win, but he is already walking on thin ice and is aware of the same. Can he turn the team’s situation around and pull one from under his hat? Only time will tell.