Football is a funny game, honestly. One week you’re the king of Europe, and the next, you're sweating bullets in Vitoria-Gasteiz. If you watched the last Real Madrid vs. Alavés clash at Mendizorrotza, you know exactly what I mean. It wasn’t just a game; it was a survival test for a club that usually treats La Liga like its own personal playground.
Madrid won 2-1. But that scoreline? It hides a lot of the mess.
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Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a strike that reminded everyone why Florentino Pérez spent years chasing him. Then, things got weird. Carlos Vicente equalized for Alavés in the 68th minute, and for a good ten minutes, the giants from the capital looked completely lost. If it wasn't for Rodrygo’s 76th-minute winner—a clinical finish after a trademark Vinícius Júnior burst—we’d be talking about a total collapse.
The Xabi Alonso Era and the January Chaos
Let's be real: the context around the recent Real Madrid vs. Alavés matchups has been chaotic. Just weeks after that December victory, the "Xabi Alonso era" at Madrid came to a screeching halt. It's wild how fast things move. Alonso was sacked on January 12, 2026, following a painful Supercopa defeat to Barcelona and a shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete.
Now, Alvaro Arbeloa is the man in the hot seat.
He inherited a squad that is, frankly, held together by tape and prayers right now. The injury list looks like a hospital ward. You’ve got Mbappé out with a fresh blow, Eder Militão still recovering from a muscle tear, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—who was supposed to be the big defensive fix—sidelined until February.
Why Alavés Is Never an Easy Out
People look at the history and see Real Madrid dominating. And sure, the all-time record is heavily skewed. Madrid has 33 wins to Alavés's 4 in La Liga history. But stats don't account for the atmosphere at Mendizorrotza.
Alavés, currently sitting around 16th in the table, plays a brand of "stubborn" football that drives big teams crazy. In their last meeting, they forced Thibaut Courtois into several massive saves. They don't have the $100 million superstars, but they have guys like Antonio Sivera in goal, who honestly played out of his mind against Bellingham and Mbappé.
Tactical Breakdowns: What Most People Get Wrong
The common narrative is that Madrid just "out-talents" teams like Alavés. That’s lazy analysis.
In the latest Real Madrid vs. Alavés battle, the tactical shift actually came from the wings. Madrid struggled to penetrate through the middle because Alavés sat in a very disciplined low block. It wasn't until Vinícius Júnior started dropping deeper to drag defenders out of position that the space opened up for Rodrygo.
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- Possession doesn't mean control: Madrid had over 60% of the ball, but Alavés had more "big chances" in the second half.
- The Valdepeñas Factor: A lot of fans missed the debut of young Valdepeñas. He was excellent until the mistake that led to the Alavés goal, proving that Arbeloa (and Alonso before him) are increasingly desperate to find defensive depth.
- VAR Controversy: Let's not forget the penalty shout on Vini Jr. that was waved away. Even with technology, these games are decided by inches and subjective calls.
What This Means for the Title Race
As of mid-January 2026, Real Madrid is trailing Barcelona by four points. Every match against a "mid-table" side like Alavés is basically a final now. There is zero margin for error.
If you're betting on or following these teams, keep an eye on the physical toll. Madrid is playing twice a week with a thinning squad. Alavés, on the other hand, is fighting for every single point to stay clear of the relegation zone. They are currently level with Osasuna on 19 points, and every draw or "brave defeat" matters for their morale.
Practical Takeaways for the Next Matchup
If you're looking ahead to the next time these two meet, here is what you should actually watch for:
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- The Fatigue Factor: Watch the 60-70 minute mark. Madrid’s veteran midfielders like Modric (who is still somehow doing it) tend to fade, which is exactly when Alavés strikes.
- Set Pieces: Alavés is surprisingly dangerous from corners. With Rüdiger occasionally struggling with knee issues and Militão out, Madrid’s aerial defense is a massive vulnerability.
- The Arbeloa System: It's still early, but Arbeloa seems to want a more rigid defensive structure than Alonso did. This might lead to "boring" 1-0 wins, but for Madrid fans right now, boring is better than losing.
The days of 5-0 blowouts in this fixture feel like a lifetime ago. Alavés has figured out how to make Madrid uncomfortable, and in the current state of La Liga, discomfort is the first step toward an upset.
To stay ahead of the next match, monitor the Thursday injury reports specifically for Eder Militão’s return date, as his presence usually stabilizes the high line that Alavés loves to exploit. Check the official La Liga disciplinary charts as well, since both Vinícius Júnior and Aurélien Tchouaméni are currently teetering on the edge of suspension with four yellow cards each.