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NO GIFTS FOR THE XAB

Heading into midweek's clash against the Premier League champions, the future of the Real Madrid manager in the dugout appeared as uncertain as a Spanish omelette tossed in a pan. Just a handful of matches into his reign, the only major stain on the 44-year-old’s copybook had been an unacceptable 5-2 hammering at the hands of Atlético. But, since the start of November, Madrid have only won three in nine, with arguably their most unpalatable performances coming in the form of draws with perceived Spanish league cannon fodder, and ending with Sunday’s humiliating loss at the Bernabéu at the hands of Celta Vigo.

In the Bigger Cup, they still look set to secure a crucial top eight spot despite their reverse at the hands of City, a defeat which was greeted by loud boos from the crowd by demanding fans who had actually just seen injury-hit squad put in a decent shift.

"When you don’t win in your own stadium such a reaction is possible," admitted Alonso regarding the response from the famously tough faithful. "We kept going, we fought right to the final whistle and despite all the problems we are facing [with injuries] everyone left it all on the pitch. For this match I have nothing to fault. The results over the past two months haven’t been good, or what we wanted. We’re self-critical, but have to keep working and have faith that things will improve."

Despite rumours Madrid’s overpaid prima donnas have little or no truck with Alonso's demands for making them “do” tactics, endure long-winded analysis sessions and attend mandatory evening seminars on the economic history of fishing in Galicia, there was plenty in shows of support for the under-pressure boss.

Upon scoring the first goal, Rodrygo slapped hands with Alonso on the touchline, with both Thibaut Courtois and the midfielder offering heartwarming post-match references in front of the TV cameras. "The boss has been excellent," tooted the England star, in what some might call excessive flattery he might do well to replicate next time he’s on England duty. "I’ve personally got a great relationship with him, a lot of the guys do too. Following our initial spell where we drew a few, we held productive talks internally. In the last couple of games, we have simply let ourselves down once more. Yet nobody is giving up, no one is grumbling or whining, believing the season is over."

While it would be unheard of for the UK press to distort what Bellingham says to suit some weird agenda, one might suggest that in stating many of his colleagues get on with Alonso, he was subtly hinting that a significant number do not. Vinícius Júnior clearly hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with his boss and he is widely reported to have informed the club's hierarchy he will not sign a new deal as long as Alonso remains in charge. It makes you think what the Brazilian made of Thursday morning’s coverage in Spain, that offered Alonso a free pass for the loss and instead placed responsibility firmly on Viní’s wasteful feet.

STATEMENT OF THE DAY

"Free speech and privacy rights are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those freedoms simply because they travel abroad. This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring which goes against the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it should be scrapped immediately" – a supporters' group director, the head of a fan organization, condemns the Trump regime’s plan requiring fans heading to the USA for the GWC to disclose information regarding their online profiles.