Let's be honest, heading into this weekend's match at Mendizorroza, things were looking pretty bleak for Real Madrid. The pressure was mounting on Xabi Alonso, the injury list was getting ridiculously long, and a trip to face a tough Alavés side felt like the last thing the team needed. This was one of those games that had "trap" written all over it, a real build-or-break moment for the manager. And while it wasn't pretty, they managed to scrape by with a 2-1 win, a result that felt more like a huge sigh of relief than a dominant victory.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Real Madrid faced a severe injury crisis, with none of their three left-backs available for the match.
- ✓ Castilla player Víctor Valdepeñas was given his debut in a high-pressure environment at Mendizorroza.
- ✓ Alavés, under coach Chacho Coudet, presented a formidable defensive challenge, having conceded only 15 goals.
- ✓ A 1-2 victory for Real Madrid, with a goal from Rodrygo, gave under-pressure coach Xabi Alonso some much-needed breathing room.
- ✓ The match on December 14, 2025, was seen as a potential "do or die" moment for Alonso's tenure at the club.
A Defense Held Together with Tape
You just have to look at the team sheet to understand the scale of the problem Xabi Alonso was facing. The infirmary at Valdebebas is overflowing. We're talking about key players like Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Trent, Mendy, and Camavinga all out with injuries. On top of that, Fran García, Carreras, and Endrick were all serving suspensions. It was a perfect storm of unavailability.
The left-back position was a complete black hole. With Mendy injured and both Carreras and Fran García suspended, Alonso had zero senior options. This forced his hand, leading to a massive moment for a young player from Castilla: Víctor Valdepeñas. Making your debut is one thing, but being thrown into a hostile atmosphere like Mendizorroza with the team in crisis. That's a true baptism by fire. The rest of the defense was just as makeshift, with Valverde once again deputizing at right-back, Asencio holding down the center, and a question mark over who would partner him between Rüdiger or Huijsen, as both were carrying knocks.
Alonso's All-or-Nothing Lineup
With the defense in shambles, the game plan seemed clear: rely on overwhelming firepower. Alonso stuck with the 4-4-2 formation he used against Manchester City. Valverde's move to defense opened up a spot in the midfield, which was filled by Ceballos, tasked with being the "escudero" or shield alongside Tchouameni. This was a big chance for him to step up.
The real hope, though, lay with the attack. The flanks were patrolled by Rodrygo, fresh off a reivindicatory goal, and the ever-present Bellingham. Up top, the big news was the return of Mbappé, who was paired with Vinicius, leaving Gonzalo on the bench. It was a clear statement of intent: we might be vulnerable at the back, but we're going to try and outscore you. For Alonso, whose job was reportedly on the line—with whispers he might not "build it to Christmas dinner" (no comerse el turrón)—this was a massive gamble that ultimately paid off, thanks to the individual talent he put on the field.
The Alavés Game Plan: A Tough Nut to Crack
Anyone who thought this would be an easy win clearly hasn't been paying attention to Alavés this season, especially at home. Recent reports indicate that Coach Chacho Coudet has built a team that is incredibly difficult to play against. His philosophy is all about "energía, movilidad y verticalidad. " They play at a high tempo, press aggressively in a man-to-man style reminiscent of Bielsa, and are the second-most fouling team in the league. They simply don't let you breathe.
Defensively, they've been a rock. Coming into this game, they had conceded just 15 goals, the same as Real Madrid. Coudet sets them up to be a solid, compact unit that's incredibly hard to break down through the middle. We should also mention While their full-backs can be a bit irregular, their central defense is a wall. It was obvious Madrid would need quick, sharp passing to find any openings. Recent reports indicate that
The Key Man: Lucas Boyé
The focal point of their attack, and the man Madrid's makeshift defense had to worry about, was Lucas Boyé. He's a classic, old-school number nine. He's not necessarily a prolific goalscorer—with only 13 goals in 15 matches, Alavés's offense is their main weakness—but he is a nightmare for defenders. He's physical, great in the air, uses his body exceptionally well to hold up play, and draws defenders out of position. He's the kind of player who makes everything around him work, even if he's not the one on the scoresheet. The battle between him and Madrid's patched-up center-backs was always going to be a crucial part of the match.
History Lessons at Mendizorroza
History also wasn't exactly on Madrid's side. Mendizorroza has always been a tough place to visit. The very first time these two teams met, way back on March 8, 1931, Alavés won 2-0. Another important factor is More recently, Madrid hadn't lost there since 2018, but the last two victories were narrow, hard-fought wins where Madrid saw a player sent off. Current trends reveal that It’s a ground where Alavés always seems to find an extra gear against the big clubs.
Over the years, the two clubs have also shared some notable players, including names like Jorge Valdano, Iván Campo, and of course, Joselu. It's a fun piece of trivia that Joselu, remembered for his key moments with Madrid, is actually Alavés's all-time top scorer in La Liga with 36 goals. It just goes to show the deep, and sometimes surprising, connections in Spanish football.
Conclusion
In the end, this was a victory born out of pure grit and offensive talent. Real Madrid was far from its best, hobbled by an unprecedented injury crisis and facing a tactically astute and aggressive Alavés side. But when you have players like Vinicius, Mbappé, and Rodrygo, sometimes a moment of individual brilliance is all you need. The 2-1 result gives Xabi Alonso a vital lifeline, a chance to steady the ship and get some players back from the treatment table. It was a massive three points earned in the toughest of circumstances.
