Real’s performance in Sunday’s home defeat was met by loud jeers at half-time and left them trailing bitter rivals Barcelona by four points in La Liga, following a poor run of one victory in their past five league games.
That sequence of results could be classed as worrying at any top-flight club, but is deemed unacceptable at one the magnitude of Real.
City, though, present a stern test to a team in need of a change of form.
The engrossing rivalry between the sides is defining this particular era of the Champions League as they meet for the fifth consecutive campaign.
Real knocked City out at the play-off stage in February and staged an incredible comeback with two injury-time goals to leave their opponents stunned in May 2022.
Real have not had it all their own way though, thrashed 4-0 in the semi-final second leg a year later – a City performance which will go down as one of the greatest in manager Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
The two teams head into this contest with rather contrasting fortunes, City having won their past three Premier League fixtures.
“When you are the coach of Real Madrid you have to be ready to face these situations in a calm and relaxed way,” said a defiant Alonso. “I feel confident.
“We want to create excitement, we are trying to change the situation and in our mind all we have is Manchester City in the Champions League. This [situation] can change very quickly, we can change our vision.”
Guardiola expressed sympathy for Alonso’s position and said: “It’s a hypothesis. You’re asking me about his future? I only wish him the best. I love him.
“What would happen if you don’t win big games? You have more difficulties. Xabi knows what he has to do.”
Woodgate added: “There is intense pressure at any club, but it increases here at the biggest football club in the world, in my opinion. Even in training sessions, you have 30 to 40 cameras. It is a gigantic football club and that brings the pressures.”
