How the Shock Defeat to Celta Vigo Exposed Critical Failures in Real Madrid’s Squad Depth and Concentration
Xabi Alonso's tenure as Real Madrid manager has reached a critical juncture following a shocking 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday, December 7, 2025. The embarrassing La Liga slippage saw Los Blancos finish the match with nine men due to red cards for Fran García and Álvaro Carreras, leaving them four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona. This unexpected collapse at the Santiago Bernabéu has intensified media scrutiny and fan frustration, turning the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City into a defining crossroads for Alonso and his star studded squad.
The immediate impact of the Celta Vigo defeat was catastrophic for Real Madrid's domestic title aspirations and their morale. Losing to a lower table side at home, where they had previously been perfect this season, was described by Alonso as "not the game we wanted." The loss was compounded by defensive injuries, including the early exit of Éder Militão, and the dismissals of two fullbacks in the second half, which disrupted the team's plans and left the Bernabéu crowd visibly angry. Alonso publicly acknowledged the poor performance but pinned some of the frustration on refereeing decisions that he felt broke the team's rhythm, particularly the sending off of Carreras.
The strategic significance of the La Liga slippage cannot be overstated, especially ahead of the imminent clash with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on Wednesday. Real Madrid have won only two of their last seven competitive matches, suggesting a deeper malaise than just one bad result. Alonso is under immense pressure to strategize a rebound, knowing that a poor result in Europe could amplify the speculation already circulating about his future. The match is a test of character and tactical flexibility, particularly for the makeshift defense, which must somehow contain the firepower of Manchester City with key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy sidelined.
Looking ahead, the future outlook hinges entirely on the performance against the English champions. Alonso sees the Champions League fixture as the perfect opportunity to “remove this bad taste from our mouths” and demonstrate the team’s quality. A commanding performance and a victory over Manchester City would instantly quell the growing pressure, reaffirming the players' commitment to Alonso’s tactical philosophy and reigniting confidence in the title race. Conversely, another defeat or a listless performance could plunge the club into a crisis, making the decision to stick with Alonso over the season's crucial winter break a difficult one for the management.