Real Madrid had it all looking like a stroll towards victory. However, the last few minutes had other ideas to shake things around. At Santiago Bernabéu, their home ground, Los Blancos had to showcase their attacking skills from the start and then calm down when the match appeared to drag on until the very end. So, let’s look at how it went down, what it means for the side, and what to expect going forward from here.
A Lightning Start
For Real Madrid, the best possible way to start the game could not have happened at a worse time. Lucas Vázquez made it easy within 57 seconds of the game, finding the back of the net with a close-range opportunity. This quick goal set the tone for what people assumed would have become a pretty straightforward win for Madrid. This was the first first-half goal at the Bernabéu since their opening match against Mallorca. It was one that ended a frustrating streak of slow starts.
French sensation Kylian Mbappé, who has been under the spotlight since his move to Madrid, more than doubled the lead before halftime with a marvellous solo effort. His goal served as a reminder to everyone of the financial sacrifices the club made to secure his transfer to Spain. With the score 2-0 at halftime, Madrid was cruising toward a comfortable victory.
Rodrigo adds to the tally.
Early in the second half, Rodrigo Goes made his name on the scoresheet with a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. This goal added to the growing confidence of the Brazilian to play in pressure situations. At 3-0, it seemed like Madrid was working toward a big win, and fans at Bernabéu were finally starting to calm their nerves.
A defensive collapse
Of course, any football fan can attest to how quickly a game can change. Carlo Ancelotti, who had probably taken the three-goal lead with a little ease, flipped it. Jesús Vallejo was brought in to play defence to give Éder Militão some rest, but this substitute only set off a collapse in Madrid’s backline.
He had been playing quietly, and he really took his time to catch a bit of carelessness by Thibaut Courtois, slotting one from way out to reduce Alavés’ deficit and give them hope with just minutes left in the game. The situation was bound to worsen for Madrid as veteran forward Kike García slipped past Vallejo to increase the deficit to 3-2. Final moments of intensity
Threatening the scientifically established lead made the Bernabéu uncomfortable. Ancelotti planned to rest most of his key players, but he had to bring Luka Modri and Endrick Felipe onto the field to attempt to stabilize the situation. However, despite the late-game chaos, Madrid managed to secure three points, a far cry from their dominating performance during the first hour of the game.
Rotation Conundrums
This game again underlined one of Ancelotti’s issues: squad rotation. Before Sunday’s Derbi Madrileño against Atlético Madrid, the Italian coach had to balance the resting of his core players with the need to be as tough as possible in the team. The early stages of the rotation succeeded, but the defensive weaknesses that start surfacing at the end of the game are serious blemishes.
Dani Carvajal had come in for a knock in the previous game against Espanyol, but was completely out and sat in the stands. The bench received an early reward courtesy of Lucas Vázquez, as his goal gave Madrid an early 1-0 lead. There was more normality with Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger returning to the defence, but Vallejo came on precariously late, which almost cost Madrid all three points from the match.
A Quieter Bernabéu
The unusually quiet sound system at the Bernabéu was another subplot to the match. The club’s ongoing battle with authorities over the use of the venue for non-sporting events may be taking a toll on the atmosphere during games. Though the pre-match loudspeaker announcements on team news and goals were at full volume, there was little to no music before and during the half-time break. The stadium’s atmosphere became slightly depressed as the club anthem played at a low volume.
Carlo Ancelotti Milestone
This was Carlo Ancelotti’s 300th game as Real Madrid manager, and thus one of the club’s excellent managers. He has won 70.7% of games and earned 14 trophies during his tenure, so he has been nothing short of superb. However, the Bernabéu faithful responded with mixed emotions. While many applause rose for the Italian manager, there were also those whistles that channeled a section of fans who remain considerably critical of the team’s performances in the current campaign.
Yellow cards and discipline problems
Another problem the team faced during the match was their increasing yellow cards for dissent. Fede Valverde and Vinícius Júnior were booked early for protesting decisions by referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz. This has given the team eight yellow cards for dissent in total, an issue the coach must sort out for Madrid if it is not to face setbacks at the wrong moment.
Derbi Madrileo looks ahead to the Atlético Madrid clash.
Well, the thumping win over Alaves is left in the past as everyone focuses on the upcoming Derbi Madrileño over Atlético Madrid. The match against Alaves provided some indications, similar to what happened against Leganés, regarding the fluidity of the front three, but it also raised questions about the solidity and discipline of the back four. The match on Sunday will be a true test of this side’s title credentials for this season.
Ancelotti will need to tactfully structure his team for defense, in particular, to ensure that the team remains resilient under such a raging derby game. A share of playing time for some of the key players will also be highly required, considering the packed schedule that awaits in the following weeks.
Conclusion
Real Madrid won 3-2 over Deportivo Alaves, which, during the game, experienced roller-coaster emotions for its fans in the Bernabéu. What was once a leisurely Sunday stroll in one frame turned out to be a frantic scramble for the three points. The result is going to keep Madrid in the hunt for the La Liga title, but it also unveiled vulnerabilities that might be taken advantage of by sterner competitors. As he approaches the Derbi Madrileño, Ancelotti will have to solve these problems so that his 300th game turns out to be a springboard for more positive results rather than a harbinger of possible perils.
