Manchester City produced another massive European night as they came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, with goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland overturning Rodrygo’s opener, Softfootball reports.
The result deepened Madrid’s ongoing crisis, as the Spanish giants now have just two wins in their last nine matches a slump so alarming that Jude Bellingham admitted after the match that something has changed in the team and that they must rediscover their identity quickly.
For Guardiola’s men, the win felt like a statement of resilience and maturity. For Madrid, it triggered a wave of anger, frustration, introspection, and disbelief. And with the Bernabéu crowd increasingly unsettled, many supporters shifted blame away from Xabi Alonso and toward the players, while others demanded drastic changes.
Meanwhile, City fans celebrated tactical discipline, big-game mentality, and the spectacular rise of Nico O’Reilly — who was named Player of the Match, a decision City proudly announced on their official X handle.
Real Madrid Fans Vent Frustration After Another Painful Home Defeat
The mood from Los Blancos supporters was a mix of heartbreak and fury disappointment at missed chances, irritation with certain players, and growing worry about the club’s form.
@Lmh_emeka captured the mood of the Bernabéu stands:
What a frustrating night at the Bernabéu… We saw glimpses of the Madrid we love, but mistakes, lack of intensity, and poor finishing cost us. Hearts are heavy, but the passion never dies. We bleed white, even when it hurts. Hala Madrid.
Others defended Xabi Alonso despite the defeat. @MadridstaChris wrote:
Not Xabi’s fault Vini and Bellingham missing sitters, Rodrygo the only one fighting for him and he’s been a scapegoat all season. Endrick did more in his short cameo than the rest of the starters. #HalaMadrid.
Some fans pointed fingers at the squad selection. @Treymcslayer posted:
Rodrygo was the best player.
Endrick played way better than Gonzalo.
Carreras 🔥
Jude was good but missed a clinical chance.
At the end of the day,
CAN WE SACK @XabiAlonso now please.
Interestingly after the game, Real Madrid goalkeeper thibaut Courtois said in a statement via the team’s official X handle, that the team played well enough and had their chances, They posted
Others highlighted poor decision-making. @jinaduMichealO wrote:
Well at least it wasn’t a damaging defeat and we actually played some football ⚽.
Decisions failed us tonight. Vinjr could have given Rodrygo a better pass earlier in the 2nd half, Rodrygo would have been on. Endrick also should have found Brahim who was in a better position.
Some supporters insisted the tactics were right but the players failed to execute. @MemehodlerX argued:
Alonso got the setup right tonight. Madrid looked sharp.
City didn’t dominate, they survived.
Game could’ve flipped with one moment.
But many focused their anger squarely on underperforming stars. @ml06 said:
Some players are not at the level and it’s not the coach fault. Vini is not the player he was. They are too selfish and they want to do all. They have many players injured too. Give the power to sack players.
Real Madrid goal scorer of the night, Rodrygo said in a post match statement shared via the team’s official X handle, that the team is frustrated with the results after playing well and not getting the result. They posted:
Frustration with the attack and substitutions also surfaced. @assman_A’chronyss wrote:
Unfortunate that we’ve lost, but we played really well before we conceded in the 1st half. Team needs to emulate more of that. Poor decision making in the final third is still a big problem. Not enough creativity or accuracy. Then, some of Xabi’s subs didn’t help that much.
Injuries were a common theme, but not an excuse for everyone. @arandu_mutuma said:
Not that bad especially considering the plethora of injuries. Played much better from last match. However Vini and Bellingham……
But the harshest criticism came from fans who questioned the entire squad’s mentality. @RickSanchez ripped into the team:
We have become so pathetic man. A team of such great stature has become piss poor. Vini just walked the entire match and gave a dog water performance. Rudiger as always being the oppositions 12th man and helping them score. Rodrygo with the little game time he’s had this season gave the best performance of the night. Yeah sure we’ve got injuries but we need a solid bench for depth in such instances. Today was pathetic and shameful and Xabi cannot be blamed for that. Get rid of Rudiger and find a defender that isn’t a cow and actually plays the ball and not the man. What a loser.
Others demanded an overhaul. @Maryjaneforever said:
I don’t know if Alonso is scared of Vinicius as a coach. Vinicius and Bellingham and Rodrigo you guys should just get out of Madrid. The president of Madrid needs to send them away in window transfer in January we need fresh start players. Alonso u better act fast before u get sack.
Xabi Alonso has come under lot of pressure recently for the lackluster performances of his Real Madrid side, in a post match press statement shared via the team’s official X handle, the Spanish coach said his players gave it their all. They posted:
Manchester City Fans Praise Mentality, Defence and O’Reilly After Comeback Victory
City supporters couldn’t stop talking about Nico O’Reilly, whose equaliser, defensive work, and confidence under pressure earned him Player of the Match, as confirmed on City’s official X handle. They posted:
@daviddote posted:
How Nico O’Reilly turned out to become the best LB in this league needs to be talked about more.
Some felt City controlled key phases and managed Madrid’s pressure with maturity. @legendking wrote:
Nico Gonzalez was supposed to shine in such games. He is so limited and hasn’t been improving us going forward at all. He is misunderstanding Pep at some instances. Rodri would have broken (passes) so many windows (lines) today, just finding Foden in tight spaces.
Many fans praised the team’s mentality and resilience. @godson_ebo said:
Big-game attitude from key players: O’Reilly’s equaliser showed good positioning and opportunism; Haaland’s calm penalty under pressure showed experience and nerve.
Resilient defence under pressure: Despite Real Madrid’s possession and pressure in the second half … City defended deep and stayed organised — sufficient to deny Madrid any comeback.
And appreciation for Guardiola’s decisions was loud. @omusuguG wrote:
Thank you Pep for trusting the correct players in this match. Subs were introduced at the right time also. I am very proud of this club. It was top performance. We did well in all departments. Nunes did well to handle Vini. I have to say Doku will be a huge player for us.
Another fan, @triggaRey, praised the balance across the squad:
Nico Gonzalez is a top level lad, hitting Rodri prime level right now, that was top notch performance. Doku — what a player 🙌🏾 he a spark ⚡️ he makes things happen. O’Reilly what a lad 🙌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 The defense was solid too. Thanks lads 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Pep & tech staff your preps; tip top shape.
After the game, Manchester city players in an exclusive video shared via the team’s official X handle, appreciating and thanking the traveling fans for their incredible support throughout the night as the team held on to a massive victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. They posted:
Real Madrid’s slump continues, with only two wins in their last nine and growing uncertainty within the squad. Bellingham’s post-match comments admitting something has changed reflect a team searching for answers, confidence, and cohesion ahead of a critical stretch in the season.
Manchester City, meanwhile, leave the Bernabéu with full belief. A comeback victory, elite defensive discipline, and the rise of Nico O’Reilly as a genuine star give Guardiola’s men serious momentum as they chase another deep Champions League run.
