Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has urged his players to deliver an immediate response when they take on Manchester City in the Champions League, following a damaging home defeat to Celta Vigo.

Sunday’s 2–0 loss at the Bernabéu means Madrid have now won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions, slipping four points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race. The evening went from bad to worse as Fran García and Álvaro Carreras were both sent off, leaving Los Blancos to finish the match with nine men.

“We are all angry — this wasn’t the performance we wanted, nor the result,” Alonso admitted after the game. “We have to turn the page as quickly as possible. It’s only three points. We have a Champions League match against City where we can react and get rid of this bad taste.”

Madrid’s dip in form has prompted renewed speculation in Spain about Alonso’s long-term future in charge. But the coach brushed aside any suggestion that Wednesday’s showdown with Pep Guardiola’s side carries more weight than usual.

“We’re playing for three points in the Champions League — a competition where we’re in a good position. That’s what matters,” he said.
“But we need to play well. We want to show we can perform far better than we did today, and we know we can.”