"The Brazilian, who had not scored in nine months and was starting only his fifth game this season, beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to give them the lead against Manchester City. Then he turned and ran towards the touchline to embrace Xabi Alonso, the manager on the edge for whom this could prove an even greater release. It's a difficult moment for him, like it is for us, Rodrygo said."
"We didn't feel that [this was a trial of the coach], Thibaut Courtois said, but that was how it had been framed publicly, and how it was felt privately: not an ultimatum as such, but not so far off. We have shown that we're with the manager: we have played well, given 100%, Courtois said. And so judgment was reserved, sentencing suspended, pending Alaves on Sunday and Sevilla six days later."
Rodrygo ended a nine-month scoring drought by beating Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Real Madrid the lead against Manchester City, then embraced manager Xabi Alonso. City turned the match around, going 2-1 ahead, and Madrid could not complete a comeback despite Endrick hitting the bar in the dying moments. Thibaut Courtois said the match had been framed as a trial of the coach, though the squad felt united and had given 100%. Judgment over Alonso's future was reserved, with decisions pending matches against Alaves and Sevilla. Madrid's home defeat marked two defeats in four days and only two wins in eight.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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