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Real Coach Alonso Looking for Team to Bounce Back Against Man City 

Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso gestures to players during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on December 7, 2025. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso gestures to players during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on December 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Real Coach Alonso Looking for Team to Bounce Back Against Man City 

Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso gestures to players during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on December 7, 2025. (AFP)
Real Madrid's Spanish coach Xabi Alonso gestures to players during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RC Celta de Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on December 7, 2025. (AFP)

Real Madrid go into Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Manchester City reeling from a surprise home setback at the weekend and a lengthy injury list, but coach Xabi Alonso says they need to bounce back quickly.

Real lost their 100% home record in the Spanish league on Sunday in a shock 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, and fell four points behind leaders Barcelona, but have little time to reflect on the setback before their Champions League assignment.

“We need to turn the page as quickly as possible,” Alonso said as Monday’s Spanish sports press speculated on the state of his relationship with his players.

“There's a long way to go in La Liga. And we have the Champions League match against City to react and get rid of this bad taste in our mouths.”

With Real winning only one of their last five LaLiga fixtures, Alonso has come under scrutiny for his relationship with players, system of playing and tactical decisions, while injuries have suddenly piled up again.

“We're struggling with injuries. It was hard for us to react,” added Alonso, whose side finished Sunday’s game with two red cards.

“It hurts, we're angry, and we understand why people are angry."

Defender Eder Militao hobbled off the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu pitch in the first half on Sunday and joins David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen and Ferland Mendy on the injury list. Jude Bellingham also suffered a cut above the eye but is expected to feature against Manchester City.

“The situation is tight due to injuries. We have to make adjustments for each match, and we'll see how things go for Wednesday,” added the coach, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the start of the season.

Sports newspaper AS said Alonso was unable to motivate his team while Marca claimed he would not be able to fix things.

But the coach offered a different outlook: “We're all united and know that we can turn things around. There's still a long way to go, and you can have a bad game at home. We know what the demands are at this club. Defeats hurt a lot, but we have to look ahead.”

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Sports

Swiss Haenni Takes over RB Leipzig as First Female CEO of a Bundesliga Club 

Tatjana Haenni, FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's football, listens during the opening news conference for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 4, 2015. (AP)
Tatjana Haenni, FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's football, listens during the opening news conference for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 4, 2015. (AP)
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Swiss Haenni Takes over RB Leipzig as First Female CEO of a Bundesliga Club 

Tatjana Haenni, FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's football, listens during the opening news conference for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 4, 2015. (AP)
Tatjana Haenni, FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's football, listens during the opening news conference for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Thursday, June 4, 2015. (AP)

Former Switzerland international and experienced football administrator, Tatjana Haenni, became the first female CEO of a Bundesliga club after she was appointed to the post at RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Haenni has decades of experience following her playing career, having held various posts in women's football at global governing body FIFA for more than a decade.

She was also in charge of women's football at the Swiss football association and sports director at the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States among others until her departure earlier this year.

"In our discussions, she impressed us and the committees with her expertise, as well as her combination of specialist knowledge, leadership strength and strategic thinking," said Oliver Mintzlaff, chair of RB Leipzig's supervisory board in a club statement.

The 59-year-old will take up her role on January 1, 2026.

Leipzig, owned by energy drinks maker Red Bull, are currently in second place in the Bundesliga, eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga will go into a winter break between December 21 and January 9.

"I am very much looking forward to this new role. I am convinced that with strong teamwork and a focus on RB Leipzig’s strengths, we can tap into significant potential," Haenni said.

"I can’t wait to get started in January and to get to know the club on a deeper level," Haenni said. "Together, we want to continue on what is already a successful path, and achieve our ambitious goals."

Sports

Egypt Teammates Rally Behind Unsettled Salah before AFCON 

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Egypt Teammates Rally Behind Unsettled Salah before AFCON 

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)

While the future of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool hangs in the balance, Egypt teammates have rallied behind the national team captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The record seven-time continental champions are in Group B with Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and will be based in southern coastal city Agadir throughout the first round.

"Players like him do not get benched," said striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan on social media, referring to Salah being a substitute in the last three Liverpool fixtures, and coming on only once.

"If he starts on the bench, you must make sure he is the first to come on, after 60 minutes, 65 at the latest.

"Mo is not just a teammate, he is a leader, a legend for club and country. Keep working hard brother, every situation in life is temporary, moments like this pass, what stays is your greatness."

Head coach and former star Hossam Hassan posted a photograph of himself and Salah and a message: "Always a symbol of perseverance and strength."

"The greatest Liverpool legend of all time," wrote winger Ahmed "Zizo" El Sayed. Goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy called Salah "always the best".

Liverpool have struggled in their title defense this season and lie 10th after 15 rounds, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal. Salah has also battled with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

After twice surrendering the lead in a 3-3 draw at Leeds United last Saturday, Salah told reporters "it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus".

"I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame (for the slump)... someone does not want me in the club."

Salah was omitted from the squad that travelled to Milan for a Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday and has hinted that he may not play for Liverpool again.

- 'Great feeling' -

Although Egypt last won the AFCON 15 years ago in Luanda, Salah, 33, believes they will lift the trophy again before he retires.

"It will happen -- that is what I believe. It is a great feeling every time you step on the field wearing the Egyptian colors."

Salah has suffered much heartbreak in four AFCON tournaments as Egypt twice finished runners-up and twice exited in the round of 16.

He created the goal that put the Pharaohs ahead in the 2017 final, but Cameroon clawed back to win 2-1 in Libreville.

Hosts and title favorites Egypt were stunned by South Africa in the first knockout round two years later, conceding a late goal to lose 1-0.

Egypt reached the final again in 2022 only to lose on penalties to Senegal after 120 goalless minutes in Yaounde.

In Ivory Coast last year, Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana and took no further part in the tournament. Egypt lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a last-16 clash.

This year, Egypt boast an array of attacking talent with Salah, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes and Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan and Zizo from Cairo giants Al Ahly.

Group B is the only one of the six in Morocco featuring two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with Egypt and South Africa heading to the global showpiece in North America.

South Africa exceeded expectations by finishing third at the 2024 AFCON, but Belgian coach Hugo Broos expects a tougher campaign in a tournament that kicks off on December 21.

"It will be harder because every opponent will be more motivated to beat us after our bronze medals," said the tactician who guided Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON title.

Angola and Zimbabwe recently changed coaches with France-born Patrice Beaumelle and Romanian Mario Marinica hired.

The Angolans have reached the quarter-finals three times, including last year, while the Zimbabweans have never gone beyond the first round.

Sports

Pressure Is on Real Madrid Coach Xabi Alonso Ahead of Champions League Match Against Man City 

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
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Pressure Is on Real Madrid Coach Xabi Alonso Ahead of Champions League Match Against Man City 

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)

The pressure is mounting on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match with Manchester City.

Madrid has won just two of its last seven in all competitions including a 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo over the weekend.

Ahead of the City match, Alonso had to contend with reports in the Spanish media that he had lost control of the locker room.

“This is a team, and we all stand together,” he said. “In soccer, you can change perspective quickly, and we’re at that point.”

Doubts over Kylian Mbappé's availability added to Alonso's concerns. The France striker trained separately to the rest of the team on Tuesday, having reportedly had issues with his left leg.

City manager Pep Guardiola sympathized with Alonso, who he coached as a player at Bayern Munich.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid are the toughest clubs to be manager of because of the environment,” he said. “It’s a difficult place but he knows it — it’s the reality of being here."

Other games on Wednesday include defending champion Paris Saint-Germain at Athletic Bilbao, Arsenal at Club Brugge and Italian champion Napoli at Benfica.