It’s been a long week for Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid. Beaten at home by Celta de Vigo (0-2), the Merengues stood out more for their inappropriate behavior (three expulsions) than for the quality of their game. If a reaction was expected against Manchester City in C1, it ultimately did not arrive (1-2). Despite this series of poor performances, Florentino Pérez maintained his confidence in Xabi Alonso, still considered the man for the job for Real Madrid (2nd). But the trip to Mendizorroza, this Sunday against Alavés (12th), was akin to a real double or nothing: any result other than a victory against the Babazorros could well seal the fate of the Basque coach on the Casa Blanca bench.
With the young Victor Valdepenas (19 years old) established to compensate for the numerous absences at left back, and an offensive quartet Rodrygo-Bellingham-Vinicius-Mbappé aligned for the first time this season, Real Madrid entered the meeting with a bang. From the 5th minute, Kylian Mbappé stood out with a blocked left shot, the first alert for Alavés. If the locals then took more initiatives as the minutes passed, they were quickly punished by the inevitable French attacker. Following a recovery from Rodrygo, the Brazilian found Jude Bellingham, who launched Mbappé perfectly deep. The Madrid number 10 then advanced to the edge of the area, opened his right foot and exploded Sivera’s net with an unstoppable strike (24th, 0-1). In the process, Bellingham thought it was doubling the lead, before seeing its goal logically canceled for a hand (28th). Far from being completely serene, the Merengues could nevertheless count on a decisive Thibaut Courtois, author of a decisive save against Boyé (45th + 3).
Xabi Alonso saves his head… for now
In the second half, Real pushed to make the break, without the attempts of Valverde (52nd), Mbappé and Vinicius (53rd) hitting the net. Opposite, Eduardo Coudet felt that his team could achieve something offensively. He then decided to bring in fresh blood by bringing in Carlos Vicente to the detriment of Calebe, in the 68th minute. A few seconds after appearing on the pitch, the Spaniard was on the receiving end of a long pass from Antonio Blanco. With a superb sequence, Vicente shot Courtois to explode the Mendizorroza crowd (69th, 1-1).
Very lively, Vicente a few minutes later delivered a good ball to Boye in the Madrid area. Slightly destabilized by Raul Asencio, the Deportivo Alavés center forward missed his shot (73rd). An opportunity that may linger on his mind for a long time. Three minutes later, Vinicius found Rodrygo in the Alavés area. The Brazilian right winger, already a scorer against City, gave Real the lead again and ended its goal drought in La Liga (76th, 1-2). Despite a few opportunities to increase the score, Real finally settled for this second goal, enough to leave with the three points of victory. With this success, more than complicated, Xabi Alonso grants himself a few days’ reprieve and Real Madrid comes back to four points behind FC Barcelona, leader.
Pub. the
– UPDATE
