Real Madrid vs. Deportivo Alavés: Three Quick Thoughts Ahead of the La Liga Match

Real Madrid face off against Deportivo Alavés at home on Sunday in La Liga play after two weeks off for the international break. Alex McVey looks forward to the match with three quick thoughts.

Will Madrid suffer a FIFA Hangover?

Surprisingly, Real Madrid’s players have all reportedly returned from international break without any injury issues. With a number of players on National Team duty over the past weekend, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane must be thanking his lucky stars that Los Blancos seem to have avoided the dreaded FIFA virus and stayed healthy.

The La Liga title is on the line, and Madrid need their full slate of players available for the upcoming fixtures.

However, the true test for how Zidane’s men are fairing after the break will come on Sunday, when they square off against Deportivo Alavés in the Santiago Bernabéu.

Even if they have managed to avoid breaking or tearing anything, the international travel demands can take a toll on players’ bodies. Players like Marcelo, Keylor Navas, and James had to travel all the way back to South America, and will will have to deal will severe jet lag, leading Zidane to hold the three out for tomorrow’s fixture.

Additionally, many of Madrid’s players played more than one match for their national selection, so they might be feeling the strain of multiple games in a weekend.

Sergio Ramos was also left out of the squad for this match, presumably in preparation for the tough fixtures coming up throughout the rest of April. It’s good news that our Captain will get a bit of rest, because he will be needed in the tougher matches ahead.

Hopefully Madrid will pull together the physical and mental resolve to push through their weariness and come away with three crucial points.

Alavés Should Not Be Underestimated

At first glance, this might seem like a fairly easy task for Madrid. Alavés sits in 10^th place, smack dab in the middle of the La Liga table. On the back of a Cristiano Ronaldo hat trick, Madrid beat Alavés 1-4 at the Mendizorroza stadium back in October. Historically, Real Madrid has dominated Alavés, with a 10-2-1 record in their 13 matches against the club.

Surprisingly, what makes this match especially tricky for Real Madrid that they will be playing at home. Alavés is one of the toughest road teams in La Liga at the moment, beating FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou, and drawing against Atletico Madrid in the Calderon.

While they are 16^th in the league if you count only their home matches, when away that ranking rises up to 7^th, according to Statto. They are also the fourth best defensive team when away from home, conceding a stingy 15 goals in the league, and keeping five clean sheets away.

Real Madrid have often seemed laborious in unlocking teams, and Alavés might be looking to frustrate the Royal Whites in their trip to the Bernabéu.

Madrid need to start April on the right foot

If you’re checking out Real Madrid’s schedule today, you might be thinking it’s some kind of cruel April Fools joke. But alas, your eyes do not deceive you. Real Madrid’s April is going to be hell.

Madrid currently sit 2 points ahead of FC Barcelona on top of the league table, with a game against Celta Vigo in hand. However, this lead could be obliterated by the time April is done, as Madrid face off against Atletico Madrid and Barca in the league, and Bayern Munich twice in the Champions League.

Real Madrid’s lead could be obliterated by the time April is done.

While Madrid enjoy the benefit of playing the Madrid Derby and El Clásico at home, Zidane will nevertheless be faced with the tough task of balancing the need to pick up maximal points and the need to keep players rested for tough matches.

If Madrid wants to get April off on the right foot, they need a decisive win against Alavés. There can be no excuses. Madrid need to get three points on Sunday, and anything less should be cause for Madrid fans to start panicking.