India, Dec. 8 -- Real Madrid hired Xabi Alonso for nights like the one coming on Wednesday. Instead, they go into the Manchester City game bloodied, four points off the top of La Liga, and with their manager fighting battles on and off the field.

According to an AFP report, Alonso's position is under increasing scrutiny after Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo, even as he publicly insists the City clash is about points, not job security.

The Celta loss was ugly in every sense. Madrid's perfect home league record vanished, Williot Swedberg scored twice, Jude Bellingham left the pitch with blood streaming from a cut above his eye, and Madrid finished with nine men after red cards for Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras.

It was only their...