Alonso under pressure but upbeat as Real prepare for City clash

MADRID, Dec 9 : Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure ahead of Wednesday's Champions League group-stage meeting against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, but the Spaniard was confident the team could turn their poor form around. 

Sunday's 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, in which Real were reduced to nine players after defenders Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were sent off, left the club second in LaLiga with 36 points, four behind leaders Barcelona.

Adding to Alonso's challenges, Madrid could be without as many as eight key players, including top-scorer Kylian Mbappe, who missed training on Tuesday with a muscle injury.

"Football can change quickly... for good or for bad," Alonso told a press conference on Tuesday. "After the Celta match, we've already drawn our conclusions. 

"Now it's just City in our minds. It's the Champions League, we're at the Bernabeu. It will be different because of the energy that's created. That's what's on our minds, what's ahead of us."

Asked whether his job could be at risk if Real falter against City, Alonso remained defiant. 

"When you coach Real Madrid, you have to be prepared for situations like this. We are a team, we are all united," he said. 

"To reverse the disappointment, which is normal, all we're thinking about now is City."

Mbappe's absence would be a significant blow for Alonso's team, with the Frenchman leading both the LaLiga and Champions League scoring charts this season.

The 26-year-old joins an already packed injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga.

Wednesday's clash will be the 13th meeting between the clubs in the past decade, a rivalry that has intensified as Real and