Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid displayed intensity and order against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but a 1-2 defeat at the Bernabéu fails to clear the team's uncertainties. Rodrygo ended an eight-month goal drought with a strike, though defensive errors and the absence of injured Mbappé weighed heavily on the outcome.
Real Madrid started the match with a storm of intensity at the Santiago Bernabéu. From the outset, Vinícius and Gonzalo García pressed Gvardiol, earning a penalty that the referee corrected to a free kick outside the area. Valverde's free kick was blocked, Tchouaméni headed close to the post from a corner, and Vinícius missed a subtle chip over Donnarumma.
Rodrygo, lost for months, reemerged as a key connector. Starting from the right, he featured in a counter begun by Carreras, Gonzalo, and Bellingham, entering the area and beating Donnarumma with a low crossed right-footed shot for 1-0. His last goal had been in March, after 32 goalless games, a record for a club forward.
Manchester City took time to gel under Madrid's high press. Valverde and Carreras contained Doku and Cherki, while Nico González, Bernardo Silva, and Foden failed to link with Haaland. Yet, from a corner, Gvardiol headed, and Courtois erred on the clearance, leaving the ball dead for O'Reilly to equalize 1-1.
Rüdiger fouled Haaland on a cross, and VAR awarded a penalty. Haaland deceived Courtois for 1-2 at halftime. In the second half, chaos favored City, with Doku freer and Courtois making miraculous saves. Madrid missed Mbappé's precision, injured on the bench; Bellingham chipped high, Rodrygo couldn't reach Vinícius's pass.
Xabi Alonso brought on Güler, Brahim, and Endrick, cheered by fans. Endrick headed against the crossbar, Vinícius missed a scissor kick and another shot. The Bernabéu buzzed with hope but ended in whistles over the defeat, which sustains the team's confusion.
