Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has thrown his full weight behind Florentino Perez in the ongoing war over the Negreira case, insisting that the lack of punishment for Barcelona is viewed with total shock across the rest of Europe.

Six weeks is an eternity in football. Just ask Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid kicked off the Alonso era with 11 wins in their first 13 matches before suffering a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of crosstown rivals Atlético Madrid.

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has launched a scathing critique of Real Madrid's hierarchy, accusing Florentino Perez of leaving Xabi Alonso "isolated" at the Bernabeu. The German club's chief claims the culture in the Spanish capital treats managers as a "necessary evil", contrasting it sharply with the support Alonso enjoyed at the BayArena.

Alonso has been brutally given a new sack timeline at the Bernabeu, per a leading Spanish source, while Jude Bellingham has given an insight into the dressing room's take on their under-fire coach

In a thrilling encounter set for December 11th at 4:00 AM Beijing time, Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League group stage. This match marks the first coaching clash between two football legends, Xabi Alonso and Pep Guardiola, who previously shared the pitch during their playing careers.