Deportivo Alavés 1-2 Real Madrid (Mbappé & Rodrygo). They got there in the end… Here is my immediate reaction to the game. Coming up: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast.
The list of absentees for this one was huge, and partly due to needless suspensions of two of the left-backs. With Ferland Mendy also out, and Castilla possessing no decent players for the left side of defence – Castilla centre-back Víctor Valdepeñas was drafted in to assume the position. Fede Valverde covered the other side,
with Rodrygo Goes retaining his starting spot ahead of them. Three more Castilla players made the bench. Fede Valverde led the team out.
The game started off slow, but a predictable Kylian Mbappé goal sparked it into life. Jude Bellingham then almost scored straight away, but the goal was ruled out for a handball. Thibaut Courtois would save his side right at the death, with a superb stop to keep it 1-0 at the interval.
A dry start to the second period made for grim viewing, but once again the game was revived – sadly when the home side equalised. Ironically, it would be Rodrygo Goes who would save Xabi once more – after a great assist by Vinicius Júnior to set up his compatriot, who made it two in two for his personal tally. The lack of action made it simple for Madrid to see out the game, and confirm the 2-1 victory. Next game: division three side Talavera in the Copa del Rey. What did you think about the game?
