The away match vs Alavés was full of pressure for Real Madrid. After two bad defeats in a row, many rumours have spread around the possible sack of Xabi Alonso in case of another defeat. Playing at the Estadio Mendizorrotza is never easy, but the Blancos managed to win, not without suffering and not without protests for a possible penalty for Real not assigned.

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Honestly, I've never seen Xabi Alonso so nervous during a match. For him it was really like a final. The players have publicly showed support to him, but objective obstacles made this match harder than ever: he had to "create" a brand new backline, being many defenders injured or suspended like Fran García and Álvaro Carreras, so the 19-year-old Castilla player Victor Valdepeñas had the opportunity to make his first-team debut.

Matchday 17: Focus on Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé was back after having missed the Champions League match due to a knee discomfort. And, obviously, he scored again. Right now he's the team's goal machine and without him the team definitely lacks offensive potential. On Sunday, for the first time this season, the magic trio Vinícius-Mbappé-Rodrygo started together. And they worked well together: the second goal came from the amazing Brazilian connection.

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Mbappé's movements on the front line are essential for the team. He's always ready to meet the ball, beat the defenders and create a chance. He played more on the left and was pressed by Tenaglia and Castro. His connection with Vinícius is remarkable.

He also helped the team begin actions from the midifield by attacking space. In the second half he looked less involved in the game, simply because the team had moments of difficulty in creating chances right after conceding the equaliser at minute 68.

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Mbappé wasn't at his best but it was great to have him back! The team played a decent match but it's still far from the team we would love to see. Xabi Alonso certainly needs time to build his team but for how much time is the Real board supposed to wait?

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Did you watch the match? Which player impressed you the most? Hit reply and let me know!

See you next Tuesday!

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Marta