Alavés vs. Real Madrid: Three Key Questions Answered After 2-1 Victory

Real Madrid snapped a two-game losing streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Alavés, maintaining pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo Goes, bracketing Carlos Vicente's equalizer, secured the win for Los Blancos at Mendizorroza.

**Three Answers from the Match:**

**1. Who could fill the defensive gaps?**

Real Madrid has been grappling with a significant injury crisis, particularly in defense. With David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, and Éder Militão all sidelined, along with Eduardo Camavinga, Xabi Alonso was forced to get creative. Suspensions to Carvajal, Álvaro Carreras and Fran García further complicated matters. Castilla player Víctor Valdepeñas received an emergency call-up to play left-back. The fitness of Antonio Rüdiger and Dean Huijsen was also crucial. All three players saw playing time, with Valdepeñas and Rüdiger in the starting lineup. Valdepeñas distinguished himself by becoming the first Real Madrid debutant since Dani Carvajal and Isco in 2013 to record more than five tackles and twelve duels in a single match.

**2. Was Wednesday's improved performance sustainable?**

Despite a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid displayed arguably their best performance in a month. The team showed intensity, a clear plan, and determination lacking in previous matches against Celta Vigo and Girona. The question was whether this performance was a one-off inspired by a high-stakes European match or a sign of genuine tactical improvement. The away game against Alavés served as a test. Ultimately, Real Madrid's performance regressed closer to their form against teams like Elche and Rayo Vallecano. They relied on individual brilliance from Mbappé and struggled to break down Alavés' defense. There is still progress to be made.

**3. How effective is the Mbappé, Rodrygo, Bellingham, and Vinícius combination?**

While this attacking quartet has played together before, this match marked the first time Xabi Alonso started all four simultaneously. Rodrygo, fresh off a strong showing against Manchester City, justified his selection by scoring his second goal in as many games, ending a nine-month drought. Mbappé was observed drifting to the left more often, seemingly interchanging positions with Vinícius Júnior, rather than occupying his usual central role. Franco Mastantuono made his first appearance since November 1st, alongside Brahim Díaz, who hadn't started since November 9th, and Gonzalo García, showcasing the team's offensive options.

**Three Questions Arising from the Game:**

**1. What does the result mean for Xabi Alonso's future?**

Reports suggested that anything less than a win could jeopardize Xabi Alonso's job. While Real Madrid secured the three points, the victory was unconvincing. Alonso is dealing with a significant injury crisis, especially in defense, and has shown courage in calling up Castilla players. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. the club's hesitance to fully support him suggests his position remains precarious. Allegedly, club leadership is unhappy with fitness levels and locker room management. To secure his job into 2026, Alonso must win against Talavera de la Reina in the Copa del Rey and against Sevilla at the Bernabéu next Saturday. These demands seem unreasonable given the circumstances.

**2. Should Real Madrid have been awarded a penalty?**

In the 88th minute, Real Madrid appeared to be denied a clear penalty when Nahuel Tenaglia kicked Vinícius Júnior. Vinícius angrily stated, "It’s a penalty, but he hasn’t given it because it’s me.” Alavés coach Eduardo Coudet offered a more measured response, suggesting it was either a penalty or a second yellow card for diving. Referee Víctor García Verdura opted for neither, and VAR official Pablo González Fuertes did not intervene. Given the clear contact, the failure to award a penalty was surprising.

**3. Why did Xabi Alonso single out Víctor Valdepeñas for criticism?**

In a surprising post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso criticized debutant Víctor Valdepeñas, stating, “we conceded on the only play where Valdepeñas made a mistake, and they took advantage of it.” This seemed harsh, considering Valdepeñas is the third-youngest debutant this century, after only Raphael Varane and Achraf Hakimi. Alonso later added, “I say that to highlight how great he has been and how important he was to us,” but singling out Valdepeñas for the conceded goal seemed unfair, especially since Antonio Rüdiger played Carlos Vicente onside. This incident has fueled concerns that Alonso prioritizes appeasing senior players at the expense of others, with Valdepeñas bearing the brunt of the criticism.