Steven Gerrard laments 'stupid' Antonio Rudiger foul as Real Madrid fall to Manchester City, says Nico O'Reilly display 'a great sign' for England

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Manchester City came from behind to breathe life back into their UEFA Champions League campaign with only their second-ever victory at the home of Real Madrid. Antonio Rudiger's clumsy challenge on Erling Haaland inside the box, penalised after VAR review, allowed the City striker to step up and convert the decisive spot-kick past Thibaut Courtois to heap more pressure on Xabi Alonso.

'Ice cool' Haaland scores penalty to put Man City ahead

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Steven Gerrard lamented a moment of "stupidity" from Antonio Rudiger as Manchester City came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League at the Bernabeu.

City mounted an impressive comeback to turn up the heat on Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso as Nico O’Reilly responded to Rodrygo's opener before Erling Haaland converted from the spot - his 51st goal in just 50 Champions League starts - to help Pep Guardiola's team steady themselves after last month’s surprise defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Rudiger's moment of panic in hauling down Haaland late in the first half was initially not penalised on-field, but VAR awarded City what proved to be the decisive moment in the game.

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"It was stupid," Gerrard said on TNT Sports' coverage. "We've given Rudiger plenty of credit in the past and many times because he's a great man-marker.

"He likes to be physical, he likes to put forwards up by being physical and getting tight, but this is stupidity as you can't do that in the box.

Highlights: O'Reilly, Haaland secure Man City comeback win

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"Especially with the amount of cameras and there being VAR. You're never going to get away with that. I'm surprised he even went to the screen, as it's a blatant penalty.

"You look at Rudiger's stupidity in giving the penalty away and also the defensive lapses for the first goal. If they have their first-choice team out tonight, those goals are probably avoided."

Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott added: "With Rudiger, I'm not surprised as he loves contact. It's very naive. You don't need to stop him from getting there. Just nullify his movement or stop him getting there as fast as he did."

Antonio Rudiger was penalised for a foul on Erling Haaland

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Speaking afterwards to TNT Sports, Haaland said: "With Rudiger, we've been having some great battles, and today he wanted a bit too much of me! For me, it was a clear penalty.

"We know about their injuries, we have a few as well but they have many injuries and you don't want anyone to be injured, and we expected [Kylian] Mbappe to play.

"I thought I was going to play against Kylian, so, of course, when a player like Kylian doesn't play, you're not happy because you want to play against the best, but it gives you a bit of psychological boost."

O'Reilly's coming-of-age display excites Gerrard

After Rodrygo's well-taken opener, City found their way back into the game from a corner after Thibaut Courtois parried Josko Gvardiol’s header, with O’Reilly reacting quickest to sweep home the rebound.

Scoring on his first appearance at the Bernabeu was the highlight of a stand-out performance from O'Reilly, who did well to handle the double threat of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior for the remainder of the contest.

O'Reilly scores first UCL goal to equalise for Man City

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Gerrard was impressed by the 20-year-old, who has now featured for his club as many times this season as he did in the entire previous campaign.

"I thought he played well beyond his years," Gerrard continued. "He showed great composure and defended really well at the right times. Rodrygo was magnificent tonight, but for a young kid, he handled both Vinicius and Rodrygo when he had to.

"It's a great sign from an England point of view, but you've got to enjoy this from a City perspective. To come here at any time to play against any Madrid team and win 2-1 in such a controlled manner is impressive. They didn't have to go into top gear tonight, but they fully deserved it."

Speaking on the Goals Show, TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves reflected on O'Reilly's night in Madrid.

"He's a really good player, a special player, and he's not even a left-back! You know he's a No. 10, and physically, I think he's got everything.

"I think he's got size and he's got skill. He just destroyed Real Madrid down this left-hand side. His running power. He's really got it, Nico. He's developing. He looks like he doesn't feel any pressure."

O'Reilly says Haaland has given him 'a few tips' after scoring first UCL goal

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On his role in not preventing Rodrgyo's opener, Hargreaves added: "As he's a No. 10, he wouldn't be used to that. What he should have done is, rather than go over in the middle as over, he should have just stayed close to Rodrygo, so then he could have just forced him to the side he wanted to.

"By the time he got there, it was too late. [Thomas] Tuchel would have been watching and saying to him, 'that can decide a knockout game at a World Cup,' rather than in the Champions League. I think it's a little learning thing, but his development for a 20-year-old has been exceptional."

Is Alonso now at risk of losing his job?

European football expert Julien Laurens believes the Real Madrid hierarchy could now act to remove Alonso from his position as Madrid head coach following a run of just two wins in eight games in all competitions.

With Madrid also four points behind Barcelona in La Liga, Laurens told TNT Sports: "I think there's a big chance [it will cost Alonso his job]. They go to Alaves at the weekend, which should be a straightforward game, but you don't know.

"Even in the Champions League, they go to Monaco and play Benfica, Jose Mourinho's Benfica, on the last day. They will finish top 24; there is no doubt.

Man City 'not ready to win UCL but will be better in February' - Guardiola

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"But they were five points clear of Barcelona three weeks ago; they're four points behind now. It's just not going well. And tonight, it's not going well for him either. He's going to be under more pressure, more scrutiny, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's not there by the weekend."

Both Steve McManaman and Gerrard were of the opinion that Madrid's overall performance produced on Wednesday did not reflect a group of players who wanted the manager sacked, and Hargreaves shared their opinion when Alonso's future was put to him, highlighting the success he had with Bayer Leverkusen.

"You can't get rid of him," said Hargreaves. "It would be ridiculous. Not a manager who's had brilliant success at Leverkusen. They almost went the whole season unbeaten.

"They lost in the final against Atalanta. Obviously, this is a different thing, coming into a football club with the player power that they have and the success that they've had. He's come in and tried to probably coach them a little bit more and get them in certain positions.

Bellingham has 'full faith' Madrid can snap 'bad run of form'

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"But these boys, with [Zinedine] Zidane and [Carlo] Ancelotti, they had so much success with having a bit of freedom. I think, maybe, if he just loosens the strings a little bit... like with Rodrygo.

"I thought he was great today. He's barely played all season. So if he trusts those boys to get them out of this trouble, you think they will."

Bellingham: We’re 100% behind manager

Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham came out in defence of Alonso despite the latest setback increasing the levels of scrutiny on the Spaniard.

When asked by TNT Sports if Alonso retained the full backing of the dressing room, Bellingham said: "100%. The manager has been great. I personally have a great relationship with him - and I know a lot of the boys do too.

"After that run of draws we had some great conversations internally and felt we'd put that form behind us but the last couple of games. No one is downing tools, no one is complaining or moaning. We take it on the chin and keep fighting."

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