Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure as his side takes on Manchester City in a key Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe (R) vies with Celta Vigo's Javi Rodriguez during a La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo undid much of the good that last week's win in Bilbao did for Real Madrid. Alonso's task on Wednesday has been made harder by the loss of Eder Militao. Medical tests confirmed a rupture of the proximal tendon in his left hamstring, and the defender is expected to be out for up to four months.

Dean Huijsen, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also sidelined, leaving Alonso with Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asensio as his only fit central defenders, although Alvaro Carreras could cover in the middle if needed.

Alonso is likely to field Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in central midfield, with Fede Valverde possibly forced to drop into the right-back role he does not enjoy.

Meanwhile, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe will lead the attack against a Manchester City side that needs a win in the Bernabeu after slipping up at home to Bayer Leverkusen in its last European game.

Alonso played under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and now his future could rest in the hands of his former coach, who has players such as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland in excellent form, although questions remain about the Manchester City defense.

Real Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the play-off for the last 16 in last season's Champions League and although this game will not be as decisive for Manchester City, it could be for Alonso, with Zinedine Zidane and B-team coach Alvaro Arbeloa being mentioned as possible short-term replacements.