Manager stresses transitional phase of reshaped squad
Madrid defeat could spell end of Xabi Alonso’s tenure
Pep Guardiola has challenged his reshaped Manchester City team to prove they can thrive against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
The City manager goes back to one of Europe’s grandest venues for the Champions League game on Wednesday night without many of the stalwarts who have been at the heart of the numerous battles between the clubs in recent years.
Guardiola reported that John Stones was out because of injury – along with Rodri – while players such as Ederson, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündoğan and Kyle Walker have departed. As ever, there was an intense focus on Guardiola, the former Barcelona player and manager, when he arrived to preview the match although the bigger story here is the future of the Madrid manager, Xabi Alonso.
