After two recent competitive defeats against Celta Vigo and Manchester City, Real Madrid secured an away win at Deportivo Alaves. The victory was also of great significance for Xabi Alonso.
The 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League did not result in Xabi Alonso’s dismissal as Real Madrid head coach. Nevertheless, the 44-year-old was under critical scrutiny in the away game at Alaves, who had recently won 1-0 against San Sebastian.
The Real coach changed his starting lineup in three positions after three players, Carreras, Endrick (both red cards) and Fran Garcia (yellow-red card), were suspended and unavailable. Alongside Arda Güler and Mbappé, who was fully fit again, 19-year-old Valde also started, making his professional debut.
Mbappé scores in the top right corner
The Royals started the game actively and created their first notable chances early on. However, neither Mbappé (4th minute) nor Rodrygo (12th minute) were able to put the ball in the back of the net, so the score remained 0-0 at the Estadio Mendizorrotza.
This remained the case until the 24th minute, when Mbappé finally put the visitors ahead. After a through ball from Bellingham, the Frenchman moved into the center of the penalty area, aimed for the right corner and sank the ball into the net in spectacular fashion.
Courtois on hand before the break
The hosts were again largely invisible after conceding the goal, with Real looking focused and largely error-free in their defensive play. Goalkeeper Courtois only had to intervene once in the first half, but he kept the upper hand against Pablo Ibanez from close range shortly before the break (45+3).
Although Alaves circulated the ball more confidently after the break, it was the Royals who initially made the more notable appearances. However, Sivera kept the deficit to a minimum against both Mbappé and Vinicius Junior (53′).
Substitute Vicente strikes – Vinicius Junior sets up Rodrygo
Deportivo coach Eduardo Coudet had to come up with something – and he had the brilliant idea of making a triple substitution in the 67th minute. Just one minute later, Antonio sent the newly substituted Vicente on his way, whose well-placed right-footed shot Courtois was unable to save. It was a bitter blow for Real and the beleaguered Xabi Alonso.
But it didn’t take his team too long to digest the goal. Just eight minutes later, Vinicius Junior powered through Jonny on the left and served Rodrygo perfectly with the outside of his foot. The 24-year-old crowned the Brazilian co-production to give Real the lead again.
No late penalty for Real
The home side were unable to avert their eighth defeat of the season. Instead, they were even lucky in the 86th minute when a tackle on Vinicius Junior did not result in a late penalty, even after VAR review.
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday, when Alaves host Sevilla in the Copa del Rey and Real travel to CF Talavera (both at 9 p.m.). In La Liga, Los Blancos, who also gave their coach three important points, face Sevilla at home three days later (9 p.m.).
