- Real Madrid came to Mendizorrotza under a lot of pressure because they knew that anything less than a win would hurt their chances of winning the LaLiga title even more
- Speaking after the match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said he was happy with the attitude of his players in the 2-1 win over Alaves
Alaves vs Real Madrid ended 2-1 as Rodrygo’s late strike sealed a much-needed victory for the visitors after Carlos Vicente had cancelled out Kylian Mbappé’s first-half opener.
Real Madrid came to Mendizorrotza under a lot of pressure because they knew that anything less than a win would hurt their chances of winning the LaLiga title even more.
The gap to Barcelona had already stretched uncomfortably, and with the league leaders winning their fixture on Saturday, the margin for error was minimal. In that light, the Alaves vs Real Madrid game was much more important than a normal league game.
Madrid took control of the field right away, moving the ball around slowly and pushing Alavés deep into their own half. The hosts, on the other hand, showed early signs of wanting to counterattack by trying to take advantage of the space behind Madrid’s high defensive line.
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Mbappé Makes the Breakthrough
In the 24th minute, Kylian Mbappé scored a clinical goal that put Real Madrid ahead. The goal followed a sustained spell of pressure and briefly appeared to settle the visitors. Mbappé’s movement made the Alavés defense nervous, and his goal showed why Madrid spent so much money to get him.
For a while, it looked like Alaves vs Real Madrid was going to follow a familiar pattern: Madrid had the ball most of the time, and Alavés waited for chances to score. Even though Madrid was in charge, the game never felt completely safe.
Alavés Grow into the Game
Alavés started to feel more sure of themselves as the first half went on. They pushed higher, messed up Madrid’s rhythm, and caused turnovers in the middle of the field. There weren’t many clear chances, but the home team was willing to fight for every duel, which kept the crowd interested and made sure Madrid couldn’t relax.
The close score at halftime showed that Madrid was better and Alavés was tough. It felt like one important moment could change everything in the Alaves vs Real Madrid game.
Vicente’s Equalizer and a Change in the Game
Carlos Vicente made that moment happen in the second half. Vicente came on as a substitute and took a direct ball that caught Madrid’s defense off guard. He then finished confidently past Thibaut Courtois. The goal was first called offside, but VAR stepped in and gave it to the home team, which made the crowd go wild.
The equalizer changed the mood and flow of the Alaves vs. Real Madrid game. Alavés suddenly looked full of energy, while Madrid seemed shaken and weak.
Tactical Concerns for Madrid
Real Madrid’s problems after giving up a goal showed that tactical issues were still present. Their high defensive line worked well when they were under pressure, but it looked weak when Alavés went straight at them. Midfield transitions got slower, and having the ball didn’t mean having control anymore.
Xabi Alonso made changes from the bench, telling his team to play faster and wider. The answer didn’t come right away, but it was important.
Rodrygo Delivers the Decisive Moment
Rodrygo gave Madrid the moment they needed in the 76th minute. He timed his run perfectly, met a perfect cross, and sent the ball past the goalkeeper to give Madrid the lead again. The goal was a reminder of how good Rodrygo is at coming through in tough situations.
Once again, the outcome of Alaves vs Real Madrid came down to individual skill. Alavés relied on taking advantage of opportunities, while Madrid relied on staying calm and using their skills.
A Nervous End
The last minutes of the game were very tense. Alavés pushed forward in search of another equaliser, sending more players into the attack and putting Madrid’s defense to the test. In response, Madrid tried to control the game by slowing it down and putting defense ahead of ambition.
Madrid stayed strong even when there was late pressure. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win that felt more like a relief than a convincing win.
Speaking after the match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said he was happy with the attitude of his players in the 2-1 win over Alaves.
“We’re all together, we’re fighting together in the good moments and not so good moments. The team fought well. The start was very good, and we were able to go ahead again at the end. Unity is fundamental.” Alonso said in his postmatch news conference, according to ESPN.
Young Faces and Squad Depth
The game also gave us a look at Madrid’s changing team. Alonso had to rely on younger players because of injuries and suspensions. One of these players was a teenage full-back, Victor Valdepenas, who played calmly under pressure. As the season goes on and squad rotation becomes necessary, these kinds of moments could be useful.
The performance made Alavés even more sure of their system and squad depth. Even though they lost, they showed good organization, spirit, and the ability to give top teams a hard time.
What this means for the title race
Real Madrid are now four points behind Barcelona, which keeps the title race going but makes it very close. Alaves vs Real Madrid may not have been a great game, but it did give Madrid the points they needed.
Barcelona’s steady play keeps putting pressure on Madrid, which means they can’t afford to play like this too many more times. It will be important to improve how well you pay attention on defense and manage the game.
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What’s Next
Real Madrid needs to build on the result and turn their relief into momentum going forward. There are some tough games coming up, and the gap at the top is still small.
Even though Alavés lost, there are some good things to take away from the game, especially how well they were able to compete and respond against one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
In the end, Alaves vs Real Madrid showed how unpredictable LaLiga can be. There were close calls, VAR calls, and moments of individual brilliance that shaped the match. It could still be important in the bigger picture of the season.
