Real Madrid Faces Pressure Ahead of Alavés Clash: Mbappé Returns

This Saturday, Real Madrid held their final training session at Valdebebas before heading to Vitoria for a crucial match against Alavés on Sunday night. With just one victory in their last five league matches, the pressure is mounting on the team. A loss could see them fall further behind FC Barcelona, risking not only their title challenge but also the future of head coach Xabi Alonso. The stakes are high, and the team must secure a win to avoid deepening their current crisis.

Alonso’s situation is complicated by a wave of injuries and suspensions that have left him with a depleted squad. Six players were absent from training: Éder Militão, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Eduardo Camavinga. Their absence will be felt against Alavés as they aim to turn around their fortunes. Additionally, Fran García and Álvaro Carreras are also unavailable due to suspensions incurred from last weekend’s match against Celta Vigo.

Injuries and Suspensions Pile Up

The list of absentees is concerning for Alonso. Alongside the previously mentioned players, Carreras and Endrick will miss not only the Alavés match but also the upcoming fixture against Sevilla, marking a challenging end to the year for the squad. However, there is a silver lining: Kylian Mbappé and Antonio Rüdiger both returned to training on Saturday after missing recent sessions. Their involvement could prove crucial for Real Madrid as they look to regain momentum.

Younger Talent Stepping Up

To fill the gaps in his lineup, Alonso is likely to call upon several young talents from the academy. Players such as Valdepeñas, Joan Martínez, Cestero, and Thiago Pitarch have joined the first team for this crucial encounter, showcasing the depth of talent within Real Madrid’s ranks. The coach will need all hands on deck if they hope to secure a much-needed victory and ease the mounting pressure.

As Real Madrid prepares for this pivotal clash against Alavés, fans are left wondering: can they bounce back from their recent struggles? The return of key players like Mbappé could be just what they need to spark a turnaround. With so much at stake on Sunday evening, all eyes will be on Vitoria as Los Blancos fight to keep their title hopes alive.