Real Madrid Vs Alaves

Real Madrid will seek to continue their impressive run of form with a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions when they host Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night as part of their La Liga campaign. Under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos have secured victories in their last three La Liga outings, and they'll be keen to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, Alaves, a team performing beyond expectations, arrives in Madrid fresh off the back of a remarkable win against Sevilla, setting up what could be a highly competitive match.

Real Madrid has long been a dominant force in both Spanish and European football, and while they might not have reached their absolute peak yet this season, they remain undefeated across all competitions—a fact that should concern their rivals. Despite what some may view as a slightly shaky start, Los Blancos have still managed to secure six wins out of their eight games thus far. The fact that they haven't been at their best but are still racking up victories demonstrates the depth of quality and resilience in Ancelotti's squad. 

One of the early season highlights for Madrid was lifting the UEFA Super Cup in August, a victory that set the tone for their subsequent performances. Their European campaign is off to a strong start as well, with a 3-1 victory over German side Stuttgart marking their opening match in the Champions League’s new league-phase format. In La Liga, they’ve shown their consistency, winning four matches and drawing two, which has earned them 14 points. This tally places them second in the standings, just one point behind bitter rivals Barcelona, although the Catalan side does have a game in hand.

The opening of Madrid's La Liga campaign was not without its challenges. After drawing two of their first three games, some questioned whether the team was firing on all cylinders. However, they quickly silenced any doubts by stringing together three consecutive wins, dispatching Real Betis, Real Sociedad, and Espanyol in quick succession. Over this winning streak, Madrid has not only taken all nine points but also displayed their attacking potency, scoring eight goals across the three matches. The cohesion between new and existing players is growing, and their performances have steadily improved.

This fixture against Alaves is crucial for Real Madrid for several reasons. Not only is it an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run, but it also serves as preparation for two significant upcoming challenges. After the Alaves game, Real Madrid faces a highly anticipated Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid next weekend, an intense clash that always has major implications in the title race. Following that, they will travel to France to face Lille in their second Champions League group match. With such demanding fixtures on the horizon, maintaining focus against Alaves will be critical if they are to keep up the pace at the top of the La Liga table.

Star forward Kylian Mbappe, who made a high-profile switch to Madrid during the summer transfer window, is still adjusting to life at his new club. Nevertheless, the French international has already made an impact, scoring six goals and providing one assist in his eight appearances across all competitions. There’s a strong sense that Mbappe is just getting started, and as he becomes more comfortable with his new teammates and surroundings, his performances are likely to become even more influential. His partnership with fellow forward Vinicius Junior is developing into a potent attacking threat that La Liga defenses will find difficult to handle as the season progresses.

While Real Madrid’s depth and talent are evident, Alaves has quietly been building their own impressive campaign. The Basque club returned to La Liga last season after a brief spell in the second division and wasted no time in establishing themselves as a competitive force. Under head coach Luis Garcia, Alaves finished 10th in their first season back in the top flight—a significant achievement for a newly promoted side. This season, they’ve carried that momentum forward, and after six games, they find themselves sitting in fifth place, just four points behind Real Madrid.

Alaves’ start to the season has been defined by strong, disciplined performances. They’ve won three matches, drawn one, and lost two, amassing 10 points—an impressive tally for a team whose primary aim was likely to consolidate their place in La Liga for another season. Garcia’s side has managed to avoid any distractions from European competitions, allowing them to fully focus on their domestic league campaign. This singular focus has paid dividends, as they’ve been able to string together a series of strong results.

In fact, Alaves has been in fine form recently, winning three of their last four La Liga matches. Their excellent run began with back-to-back wins over Real Sociedad and Las Palmas before the international break. Although they suffered a setback with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Espanyol on September 14, they bounced back in style by securing a 2-1 home win against Sevilla. The victory over Sevilla was particularly impressive, as it showcased the resilience and tactical acumen of Luis Garcia’s side.

However, Alaves will be mindful of their record against Real Madrid, particularly at the Bernabeu. The last time the two teams met at this iconic venue, Alaves were handed a heavy 5-0 defeat. It was a result that highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides on that occasion. Nevertheless, Alaves will take heart from their historic win at the Bernabeu in November 2020, when they stunned the football world by defeating Madrid 2-1. That victory will be fresh in the minds of some of the Alaves players and fans, and they will be hoping for a similar upset when they face off against Los Blancos on Tuesday.

Aside from Mbappe, Real Madrid boasts a squad brimming with talent. Vinicius Junior continues to be a key figure for the team, with his electric pace and flair on the ball often causing havoc for opposition defenders. The Brazilian winger has formed a strong understanding with Mbappe, and together, they represent a significant attacking threat for Madrid.

In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga has been growing in stature, with his ability to control the tempo of the game and link defense with attack. Alongside seasoned campaigners like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, Madrid’s midfield remains one of the best in Europe, combining creativity with experience.

Real Madrid’s defense, led by veteran center-back David Alaba, has also been solid this season. The Austrian’s leadership, combined with the defensive prowess of Antonio Rudiger and the young talent of Fran Garcia at fullback, provides a formidable backline that has conceded only a handful of goals in the league thus far.

For Alaves, their success has been built on teamwork and tactical organization. That said, they also have standout performers who will be key to their chances at the Bernabeu. Striker Luis Rioja has been in good form, with his ability to find space and convert chances making him a constant threat. Midfielder Antonio Blanco, on loan from Real Madrid, will have a point to prove against his parent club, and his performances have been integral to Alaves’ early success.

Alaves' defensive solidity has also been a cornerstone of their campaign, with goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and center-backs Victor Laguardia and Rodrigo Ely providing a strong foundation. They will need to be at their best to keep Madrid’s attack at bay.

From a tactical perspective, this match presents an intriguing battle between two very different teams. Real Madrid will likely dominate possession, as they usually do at home, with Ancelotti's side expected to press high and control the game in midfield. Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be looking to exploit any space left behind Alaves' defense, particularly on the counter-attack. 

Alaves, on the other hand, are likely to adopt a more conservative approach. Luis Garcia is known for organizing his teams defensively, and Alaves will likely sit deep, absorb pressure, and look to hit Madrid on the break when opportunities arise. Their victory over Sevilla showed their ability to soak up pressure and strike at key moments, and they will need a similar performance if they are to have any chance of leaving the Bernabeu with a positive result.

Real Madrid will head into this match as firm favorites, given their superior squad and recent form. However, Alaves has shown that they are capable of upsetting the odds, particularly against strong opponents. If Real Madrid approaches the game with the right mentality and avoids looking ahead to their upcoming fixtures against Atletico and Lille, they should have enough firepower to claim all three points.

With Mbappe beginning to find his rhythm and the team gelling more effectively with each game, it seems likely that Real Madrid will continue their unbeaten run and remain in the hunt for both domestic and European glory this season. For Alaves, while a result at the Bernabeu would be a huge boost, their primary goal will be to continue building on their strong start to the season and solidify their place in La Liga.