The pressure was already on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso and a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday raised further questions about his future.

It`s now just two wins in eight games for Madrid and back-to-back home losses after goals from Nico O`Reilly and Erling Haaland sealed victory for City.

Elsewhere, Arsenal remains perfect in the Champions League after a 3-0 win against Club Brugge continued its 100% record.

Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain was held 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao.

Ajax scored three goals late in the game to deny Qarabag a surprise win in one of the early kickoffs.

Four-time European champion Ajax twice trailed against its Azerbaijani opponent, but fought back to win 4-2 in Baku.

Qarabag has been one of the surprise packages in this season`s competition and led after 10 minutes through Camilo Duran. Matheus Silva scored two minutes into the second half to make it 2-1 after Kasper Dolberg had leveled for Ajax.

But Ajax powered back with three goals in 11 minutes. Oscar Gloukh scored in the 79th and 90th, with Anton Gaaei getting the other in the 82nd.

Copenhagen also scored late to win 3-2 at Villarreal.

Substitute Andreas Cornelius struck in the 90th to seal victory in a game where Copenhagen had twice been pegged back after taking the lead.

Haaland: I Love the Battle with Asensio and Rudiger, and We Don`t Think About Others

Manchester City international Norwegian striker Erling Haaland appeared in a press statement after the 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the sixth round of the Champions League group stage.

Haaland said after the match: "It`s difficult to play here, it`s a very tough stadium. The match was a bit chaotic and we couldn`t control it as we should. In the end, we got the win, and I am very happy about that."

He added: "This is the place you want to play in, and these are the matches you want to take part in. With the new Champions League format, you play more matches, and that`s great. I like that."

He continued: "The situation could have looked completely different today if we hadn`t won, especially after the defeat against Leverkusen. This win is very important. We have two matches left, and we have to finish them strongly, and hopefully, we will be among the top eight because that means direct qualification."

He added: "Was it extra motivation to see Kylian Mbappe out of the lineup? We fully understand their injury situation, and we also have some injuries, but they have many. You don`t want any player to get injured, but we were expecting his participation. I was expecting to face Kylian today; when a player like him is absent - you are not happy because you want to play against the best - but it gives you a slight psychological boost."

He emphasized: "You want to face the best players, and after just one minute, (Raul) Asensio was trying to push me and get into physical clashes with me, which is something I personally like and don`t mind. And with Rudiger, we have had great battles before, but today he really wanted to win... and in the end, we got the penalty."

He concluded about the competition with Arsenal for the top of the Premier League: "I don`t like to talk much about that. We have to focus on ourselves, and that is what distinguishes City over the past ten years - not thinking about others and focusing only on ourselves. Now we have to think about Sunday`s match... Who will we face? Crystal Palace on Sunday. Matches come quickly. Just look at the schedule, it`s amazing, and it`s about maintaining fitness and dealing with each match individually, and hopefully, we win on Sunday."

Rodrygo: Alonso Is Going Through a Difficult Period, and This Is Normal

Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes appeared in a press statement following the 2-1 loss against Manchester City in the sixth round of the Champions League group stage.

The Brazilian star said: "What we did was not enough; we left very frustrated. The first half was very good, especially in the opening minutes. We scored a goal, but winning was not possible. We need to improve."

He added about set pieces: "We know that these matches are always decided by small details. That`s what happened today. We train on these things a lot, but during matches, such mistakes can happen..."

He continued about his return to scoring after a 32-match absence: "I really needed this goal. I always try to score and help the team. These things happen. I have to keep training and stay focused. I hope my best form returns after this goal."

About his hug with Xabi Alonso: "He is also going through a difficult time. Things are not going as we want. We wanted to show people that we stand with our coach. A lot of things are being said, and we need this unity to move forward."

He concluded about the boos: "This is normal. It is a club and its fans are demanding. And this is fair. We have to accept that."