UNBELIEVABLE DISCOUNTS AT AMAZON.COM ||
By Graham Ruthven
Indeed, Los Blancos are currently on an unbeaten run of 38 league matches yet find themselves chasing early pace-setters Barcelona at the top of the table. Carlo Ancelotti’s team can’t allow their rivals to build any more of an advantage.
Four points is the difference between Barca and Real Madrid after six games. The defending champions could close that gap to just one point by beating Alavés on Tuesday with Barca not playing Getafe until Wednesday. That, coupled with Real Madrid’s performance against Espanyol on Saturday would suggest they are building momentum.
Espanyol took the lead at the Santiago Bernabéu, but Real Madrid’s response to ultimately win 4-1 was emphatic. It was arguably their best all-round performance of the season so far with Kylian Mbappé more involved and dangerous than at any other point of his fledgling Real Madrid career.
Mbappé had 63 touches of the ball against Espanyol which was his highest tally to date as a Real Madrid player. He also had nine shots (six of which were on target) and registered seven key passes. He was an all-round threat. This was the sort of performance Real Madrid envisaged the Frenchman would produce on a regular basis when they signed him.
Alavés will arrive at the Bernabéu in confident mood having won three of their last four league fixtures. Manager Luis García could stick with the lineup that beat Sevilla 2-1 on Friday with right winger Carlos Vicente a player who could pose a threat to the home team – the 25-year-old has scored two goals in his last three games.
Los Blancos have won their last five matches against Alavés, a run that includes a 5-0 thumping in last season’s corresponding fixture. Real Madrid will almost certainly control possession on Tuesday night with Alaves ranking second-last for average possession share among LaLiga’s 20 teams this season.
Jude Bellingham’s return to fitness has given Real Madrid another dimension through the centre of the pitch while Arda Güler has made the most of recent opportunities. Vinícius started on the bench against Espanyol, but could be rotated back into the lineup to face Alavés. Dani Carvajal, however, is an injury doubt for the match. Nonetheless, this is another opportunity for Real Madrid to prove they are finally finding their groove.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from LaLiga with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.