Crisis Paused
Xabi Alonso will remain the Real Madrid manager—at least for now. In a match that felt like a cup final for the embattled coach, Real Madrid secured a gritty 2-1 victory over Alavés at the Mendizorrotza Stadium. The performance wasn’t vintage “Galactico” football, but it was a necessary display of survival that keeps their La Liga title hopes breathing.
Why This Win Matters
Before kickoff, Spanish media outlets were already drafting Alonso’s obituary. A loss here would have been catastrophic. However, the team responded with controlled aggression.
- Dominance: 13 shots and 56 dangerous attacks.
- Clutch Moments: Kylian Mbappé’s individual brilliance broke the deadlock, and Rodrygo’s curling effort proved to be the winner.
The Surprise Hero: Valdepeñas
While the superstars grabbed the goals, a 19-year-old debutant arguably saved the day. Valdepeñas was thrown into the fire and emerged unscathed. The youngster recorded 5 tackles and 7 duels won, completely neutralizing Alavés’ wing threat.
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
With Thibaut Courtois also making key saves to reach his 200th club win, Alonso may have found the defensive formula he has been missing all season. Ultimately, this Real Madrid 2-1 Alaves result closes the gap to the league leaders to four points, allowing Madridistas to sleep a little easier tonigh.
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