Real Madrid endured a tense match but ultimately secured three points against Alaves.
Player of the Match
While Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius have often taken the spotlight in recent times, Rodrygo consistently proves that he still has a crucial role within the Real Madrid lineup. His performance against Alaves further solidified this claim.
Rodrygo made an impact with two shots, one of which was on target, scoring a goal in the process. He created one excellent chance, completed 89% of his passes, and successfully dribbled past defenders 100% of the time (3/3). With a score of 8.21 from Whoscored, he was the highest-rated player on the pitch.
Although Rodrygo was not included in the top 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, this is no longer a primary concern for him. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, what matters is his consistent playing time and goal-scoring ability—this is the value Rodrygo is focused on.
Who Struggled?
Goalkeeper Antonio Sivera and left-back Manu Sanchez had a tough day at the office as Alaves faced immense pressure from Real’s attacking line. Both received the lowest ratings from Whoscored, with scores of 5.7.
For Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois also had a subpar performance, receiving the lowest rating of the match with a score of 5.9.
Tactical Statistics
Under the guidance of coach Carlo Ancelotti, Real dominated possession with 69% and completed an impressive 736 passes compared to Alaves’s 326. However, the visitors managed more shots (12 compared to Real’s 10) and a similar number of shots on target (3 for Alaves and 4 for Real).
In the second half, Real’s complacency nearly cost them. Alaves controlled only 34% of the ball but managed to take 9 shots compared to Real’s 4.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos showcased their resilience. Although they didn’t dominate in shots, Ancelotti’s side achieved an impressive expected goals ratio of 1.29, while Alaves managed only 0.81 for the entire match. Real created 4 clear-cut chances, compared to just 1 for Alaves.
It’s no surprise that Alaves struggled to withstand the relentless attacks from the home side, with their defenders making a staggering 24 tackles throughout the match—more than double Real’s 11.
Key Moments
Mbappe continued his impressive form, increasing the score to 2-0 after a combination play with Jude Bellingham. His goal came after 26 consecutive passes, highlighting Real Madrid’s exceptional ball movement.
Notably, Mbappe has now scored 6 goals in his last 5 matches across all competitions for Real, solidifying his status as a key player.