Real Madrid 2-1 Deportivo Alavés (Mbappé & Vinícius Júnior). A forgettable win… This is my immediate reaction. Coming up: Player ratings, interviews from the team and a derby podcast.
The Champions League journey was over for Real Madrid, who had clearly already shifted focus from the league campaign months prior. This left virtually nothing left to play for but pride, as Deportivo Alavés paid a visit the the Bernabéu. No real surprises in the line-up as Andriy Lunin continued in goal and Álvaro Carreras
started at left-back. The bench was also pretty full, with Thiago Pitarch and Dani Carvajal amongst those taking a seat on it. Fede Valverde captained the team.
Early chances from the visitors and Fede Valverde initially made for a promising start, before those hopes were drowned out by twenty minutes of uneventful play. Real Madrid blagged their way to a lucky goal when Kylian Mbappé’s shot from distance deflected its way into the net. The Frenchman then missed a cleaner chance, and Éder Miltão hit the bar – before Alavés ended the half strong by hitting the post and forcing an excellent double save from Andriy Lunin. 1-0 at half-time.
More intent was shown after the break, as Madrid tested the keeper before Vinícius Júnior dealt a lethal blow from outside of the box to make it 2-0. Kylian Mbappé had two quick fire chances to make it three, but the keeper denied him on both occasions. Eduardo Camavinga arrived as a substitute to be met with whistles from the home crowd. Alavés hit the post after a good cross came into the box, and managed to score in injury time through Toni Martínez – but the game would prove too tame for a comeback charge. 2-1 at full-time. Did anyone impress you during this win?
