A balsamic triumph. That is what Real Madrid are looking for this Sunday in their visit to Mendizorroza to face Deportivo Alavés. Touched but not sunk, the Whites are looking to make up for their recent defeats against Valencia in the league and against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Real Madrid are having a bad week that they want to turn around. So far in April, the Whites have yet to taste victory and this has left them shaken, both in the league, where they are no longer in control of their own destiny and Barça are just four points behind, and in the Champions League, where they need a miracle to advance to the final in Munich.
And the fact is that Real Madrid were left exposed on Tuesday night in London against Arsenal. It had been a long time since the Whites had suffered such a heavy defeat in Europe. Mikel Arteta’s side thrashed the Madridistas 3-0 and they will have to pull off a miracle at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the league, things did not go any better last weekend. A goal from Hugo Duro in the 95th minute left the Whites pointless and 4 points behind Barça.
Without Ancelotti and with their minds on the Champions League
Ancelotti will not be able to take his place on the bench at Mendizorroza so his son Davide will take charge of the match. A match in which the team’s minds will be on the Champions League because the Whites will be able to rotate their squad, but with caution as they don’t want to throw away another competition in just one week. At Madrid, Alaba and Lunin are doubtful with muscle injuries, and Carvajal, Militão and Mendy are still out with long-term injuries. Ancelotti will have to adjust his defense. Lucas, Tchouaméni and Fran García, with no wear and tear in the Champions League, are in line for the starting eleven. Also Camavinga, who will not play the second leg due to suspension.
Possible XI of Real Madrid
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Fran García, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Lucas Vázquez
Midfielders: Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham
Forwards: Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mbappé
Alavés on a roll and with injuries
Deportivo Alavés need points as they are not yet assured of staying up. Eduardo Coudet‘s team are only two points above the relegation zone. The Babazorros have only lost one game in the last five, drawing twice and winning twice. The team has Tenaglia back, who missed the last game through suspension. However, Antonio Sivera, Tomás Conechny and Jon Guridi are now out through suspension after picking up their fifth yellow cards.
Possible Alavés XI
Goalkeeper: Owono
Defenders: Manu Sánchez, Mouriño, Abqar, Tenaglia
Midfielders: Blanco, Aleñá, Jordan, Carlos Vicente
Forwards: Kike García and Carlos Martín