Real Madrid secured a narrow win against Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Alaves mounting a late fightback with goals from Carlos Benavidez and Kike Garcia after Madrid had taken a commanding 3-0 lead with goals from Lucas Vasquez, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo. Despite nearly losing their lead, Real managed to hold on for their fifth La Liga win of the season, moving within a point of Barcelona ahead of a crucial derby with Atletico Madrid. The players appeared calm and collected for most of the match, with moments of brilliance from players such as Vinicius Jr, Bellingham, and Mbappe, who was named Player of the Match after scoring his fifth league goal of the season.
One highlight of the match was the dynamic partnership between Mbappe and Bellingham, who showcased their overlapping skills and ability to open up Alaves’ defense. The question of how manager Carlo Ancelotti can incorporate the talents of Mbappe, Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and new addition Endrick remains a relevant discussion, with Mbappe and Bellingham showing great chemistry in this match. Despite the win, Real Madrid displayed lapses in concentration and discord between players and officials, which may be concerning heading into the derby against Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid’s defensive performance was marred by multiple yellow cards, with three coming from dissent towards the referee, highlighting potential discipline issues that could impact the team in future matches. The match began with a quick goal from Vasquez within the opening minute, setting the tone for a dominant display from Real Madrid. The team controlled the match with a slow-paced style of play, punctuated by moments of brilliance from players like Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe, who combined well throughout the game.
While Real Madrid appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory, Alaves fought back in the final minutes with goals from Benavidez and Garcia, causing a tense finale for Real Madrid as they held on to secure the win. Despite the late scare, Real Madrid’s quality ultimately shone through, with players like Mbappe and Rodrygo impressing with their goals and contributions to the team’s performance. The win marked an important step for Real Madrid in the La Liga standings, setting the stage for an important derby clash with Atletico Madrid in the upcoming match.
Overall, Real Madrid’s victory over Deportivo Alaves showcased their quality and ability to control the match, despite facing a late challenge from their opponents. The performance of players like Mbappe and Bellingham highlighted the team’s potential going forward, while areas of concern such as lapses in concentration and disciplinary issues may need to be addressed by Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff. As Real Madrid looks ahead to future matches, including the crucial derby against Atletico Madrid, they will need to build on this win and address any weaknesses to continue their pursuit of success in La Liga.
