Real Madrid is set to face Deportivo Alavés at the Estadio de Mendizorroza in a crucial LaLiga clash as they aim to end a troubling streak of defeats. The team, managed by Xabi Alonso, has struggled recently, suffering consecutive losses: the first against Celta de Vigo in LaLiga and then against Manchester City in the Champions League. Both games were played at the Santiago Bernabéu, intensifying concerns about the team’s current form.
This recent dip comes as Real Madrid contends with significant player absences, prompting Alonso to rely on youth from the club’s academy to fill gaps in the squad. Despite an impressive start to the season, the club has lost its grip on the top of the league table and is in dire need of a morale-boosting victory.
The upcoming match represents the halfway point in the domestic campaign, with Real Madrid currently positioned as the second-placed team. They will compete in one additional league match before the winter break. The return of star players Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger, alongside the debut of promising young talent Víctor Valdepeñas, offers a much-needed boost to the squad.
Historically, Real Madrid has had a strong record against Alavés, winning their last five encounters at Mendizorroza. Meanwhile, Alavés finds themselves in 11th place with a record of five wins, three draws, and seven losses.
Kickoff for the match is scheduled for December 14 at 14:00 hours local time in Mexico City, or 15:00 hours ET. Both teams will be looking to secure valuable points as they navigate the challenges of the season.
The projected lineups for the match are as follows:
Alavés: Antonio Sivera, Victor Parada, Jon Pachecho, Nahuel Tenaglia, Jonny Otto, Antonio Blanco, Pablo Ibáñez, Abde Rebbach, Denis Suárez, Calebe, and Lucas Boyé.
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Víctor Valdepeñas, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Vinícius, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal match, the stakes are high for a struggling Real Madrid seeking to restore confidence while Alavés aims to build on their mid-table position.
