In a stunning upset at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid fell 2-0 to Celta Vigo in La Liga action on Sunday evening, marking Celta's first victory at the iconic stadium in 19 years. Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso expressed deep frustration with the match officials, attributing key disruptions to referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez's decisions, which he said "drove us crazy" and threw his team off rhythm.
The match, witnessed by a packed Bernabéu crowd, saw Celta strike twice in the second half through clinical finishing, capitalizing on Real Madrid's mounting challenges. An early injury to star defender Éder Militão in the opening minutes forced an untimely substitution, disrupting Alonso's tactical setup and leaving Los Blancos scrambling to regain composure.
The situation escalated dramatically when left-back Fran García received two yellow cards in quick succession, reducing Real Madrid to 10 men. Later, in added time, Álvaro Carreras was dismissed for dissent, leaving the hosts with just nine players on the pitch and sealing their inability to mount a comeback.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Alonso praised his squad's resilience, noting they showed glimpses of their best form while shorthanded. However his post-match press conference quickly turned to pointed criticism of the refereeing.
"I did not like the referee’s decisions at all. It was poor," Alonso stated. "The red card to Carreras was something he was clearly looking for. The referee let Celta waste time, never even warned them about it, kept stopping play every time. He didn’t take into account the loss of time; they cut our pace, and he was very permissive. That got us a little out of control."
Alonso, who took the reins at Real Madrid last summer following Carlo Ancelotti's departure, emphasized that the officiating unsettled his players at critical junctures. "We were unhinged by the referee’s decisions. The sending-off of Álvaro, then the slowing down... I didn’t like the performance. The card for Carreras was very debatable, as if he was trying too hard," he added. The former Real Madrid midfielder, known for his tactical acumen, refused to shift full blame to his players, instead highlighting the collective responsibility within the club.
The loss leaves Real Madrid four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, intensifying the pressure in a tightly contested title race. With injuries already thinning the squad, Alonso now turns his focus to a pivotal Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday, where he called for a unified response.
"We're all angry—it wasn't the game or result we wanted. But we have to show a different face. We're all united, all together," he affirmed. "It's three points that hurt, but now we look ahead with pride and commitment."
Celta Vigo, under their own managerial guidance, celebrated a hard-fought triumph that boosts their mid-table standing and injects momentum into their campaign. Real Madrid supporters, while stunned by the result, remain steadfast in their backing of Alonso's project, which has promised attacking flair and youth integration since his appointment.
Real Madrid will host Manchester City in the Champions League on December 10 at the Bernabéu. For more information on upcoming fixtures and ticket availability.