Who: Alaves vs Real Madrid
Content: Spanish La Liga
Location: Mendizorrosa Stadium, Vitoria, Spain
Date and time: Sunday, December 14th, 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 17:00 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
Real Madrid will be hoping to ease the pressure on Xabi Alonso when they visit Alaves on Sunday, but the record La Liga winners will know that just one more defeat could end the beleaguered manager’s short tenure.
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Los Blancos midfielder Jude Bellingham on Wednesday welcomed unity after the UEFA Champions League defeat to Manchester City, saying the players were behind Alonso and no one had “broken tools”.
In further good news for the Madrid-based club, Kylian Mbappé returned to action on Sunday after missing the game against City due to injury.
Al Jazeera Sports has highlighted the must-wins for Alonso, but with a seven-point lead over Barcelona, there may be some things that Alonso must win.
How much pressure is on Real Madrid coach Alonso?
Alonso, who Spanish media had reported would be sacked if Madrid lost the match against City, remains in charge despite a 2-1 defeat at the Bernabéu in frustration.
Regardless of the result, this match is expected to be a turning point for the team, which has only won two of its last eight games in all competitions.
Alonso’s players rallied around him and sent messages of support publicly after and during the game, including Bellingham as well as goalscorer Rodrigo Goes running up to the manager and hugging him.
“The only thing we can do is change our attitude… and we saw a change (against City),” defender Raul Asensio said.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was another Madrid player who supported the coach, believing that the situation could be alleviated if the result changed.
“All of us here support the coach wholeheartedly and with a win on Sunday we can change this dynamic,” Courtois said.
Alonso’s thoughts on Real Madrid’s struggles?
It made no sense for president Florentino Perez to drop the ax after Madrid’s improved performance against City.
It would be easy to make that decision the next time the team stumbles — and if it really is a turning point and it doesn’t happen, it could work out for him as well. Especially given that there are no clear substitutes.
Meanwhile, Alonso said he hopes Madrid’s current woes will make the team even stronger.
“There will be challenges, but we can grow,” he said. “If we can get through this tough time and change the dynamics, maybe in a few weeks we’ll look back and say, ‘We went through a lot, but it made us stronger.'”
Alonso said he feels the criticism and doubts but is not surprised.
“I have to accept this situation and, as Real Madrid coach, I have to be ready to face it bravely, responsibly and self-critically, knowing that things can change,” said the former Madrid midfielder. “Despite the result, I found positive things personally and overall. Other things didn’t go quite as well, but we’re still in it.”
What happened in Real Madrid’s last La Liga match?
Los Blancos suffered a collapse in their final match in the Spanish top league, losing 2-0 at home to Celta Vigo, when two players were given reds.
Alvaro Carreras and Fran García were sent off and suspended for the trip to Alaves.
📋✅ Team ready for the game!
🆚@Alaves pic.twitter.com/eOmzjSRcG7— Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 13, 2025
Is there a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid?
One player who seems to have recovered not only from injury but also from his form is winger Rodrygo, who suffered a disappointing defeat against City.
Despite failing to find the back of the net in 32 games, the Brazilian scored some great goals to propel his team forward.
Beyond that, he has transformed from the weakened form he has been seen in recent months and is back to his electric best.
“One of the good news today was that you saw him have that personal quality, that flair. And he also scored, which was important for him,” Alonso said.
What’s the latest on Vinicius Junior’s Real Fallout?
On the opposite flank, Rodrygo’s compatriot Vinicius Junior produced a less convincing display.
The winger’s anger at Alonso after he withdrew from the Clasico in October became a flashpoint and contributed to Madrid’s season going off the rails.
Since that moment, Spanish media have reported a growing rift between player and manager, suggesting various grievances about the manager’s selection decisions and the tactical efforts they have to make.
They appear to be on the mend, thanks in part to support for Alonso, but a good barometer will be whether Madrid’s stars can maintain the work ethic they showed in the glamorous European clash at Alaves’ Mendizorrosa stadium on a wintry Sunday night.
Why did the season go so wrong for Real Madrid?
Alonso appeared to have made a good start to his Bernabeu career, with Kylian Mbappé scoring at will and the team winning their first seven games of the season. Even the loss to Atlético Madrid was partially forgotten after the win against Barcelona.
Then something went wrong. The team took a nosedive after losing to Liverpool in the Champions League last month. Losing at Anfield is acceptable for any club. Three consecutive La Liga draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona have sounded a wake-up call for Madrid, which considers itself to be the best in the world.
But to make matters worse, they suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, followed by a 2-1 loss to Josep Guardiola’s City. Both of these defeats came in front of some disgruntled fans who heckled the team against the Bernabéu.
All bets on Alonso’s future are off just months after leaving Bayer Leverkusen after an impressive stint at the German club that culminated with the Bundesliga title in 2024.
How are Alaves doing this season?
Alaves have been in good form at home this season, losing just two of their eight games in Vitoria, and won 1-0 against Real Sociedad in their previous match.
They opened the season with just three wins out of 10 games. Four wins from their last seven matches have lifted them into the mid-table and they are halfway to qualifying for Europe, but all four of their remaining matches in that period have been defeats.
What happened the last time Real Madrid played Alaves?
When the two teams met at Alves in La Liga on April 13, Real won 1-0. Eduardo Camavinga scored the only goal in the 34th minute, and Kylian Mbappé showed the red in the 38th minute.
The home team was reduced to 10 men as Manu Sanchez was sent off in the 72nd minute.
direct confrontation
This is the 29th time the two teams have met, with Real Madrid winning 23 times and Alaves only winning three times.
Alavés team news
Nicolas Maras and Facundo Garcés will once again be sidelined due to injury and suspension respectively.
John Griddy has a knee problem and will undergo tests before the game.
Real Madrid team news
Alonso said Kylian Mbappé was fit to play on Sunday after missing the Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
Alonso said on Saturday: “Kylian is back and ready to play. We will wait and decide (whether he starts or not). Obviously it’s good news.”
Real Madrid will be without several injured players for the match in Vitoria, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga.
Garcia, Carreras and Endrick were also suspended. Defender Dean Huisen is likely to return.
“Obviously, even though we are releasing players, we have enough strong players and a strong enough team,” Alonso added.
Alavés’ predicted starting lineup:
Sibella; Otto, Tenaglia, Pacheco, Parada. Guevara. Kalebe, Ibanez, Suarez, Rebach. boy
Real Madrid’s predicted starting lineup:
Courtois. Valverde, Rudiger, Huisen, Asensio. Güler, Choameni, Ceballos. Bellingham; Rodrigo, Vinicius
