Sun Apr 13 14:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Real Madrid Look to Bounce Back Against Alavés After Crushing Week
**MADRID, SPAIN** – Real Madrid faces Alavés on Sunday looking to recover from a disastrous week that saw them suffer a shocking home defeat and a heavy Champions League loss. Last weekend’s 2-1 home loss to Valencia, their first defeat at the Bernabéu to Valencia in 17 years, left them five points behind league leaders Barcelona. This was compounded by a devastating 3-0 away loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Despite their setbacks and several key injuries to players including Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos, Andriy Lunin, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid is expected to field a strong team against the struggling Alavés, who currently sit 17th in La Liga, just two points above the relegation zone.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to start Thibaut Courtois in goal, with Lucas Vázquez at right back and Fran García at left back. Aurélien Tchouaméni will likely fill in at center back alongside Raúl Asencio. In midfield, Luka Modrić and Eduardo Camavinga are tipped to start, with Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler, and Vinícius Júnior leading the attack alongside Kylian Mbappé.
While Mbappé aims to break Real Madrid’s debut season goalscoring record, and Vinícius Júnior seeks to surpass Ronaldo Nazário’s goal tally for the club, the focus will be on securing a crucial three points and reigniting their hopes in La Liga. The match will be a key test of Real Madrid’s resilience as they attempt to salvage their season.
First Piper 