Real Madrid: 5 key players to watch against Alaves

Real Madrid will face Deportivo Alaves at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Friday.

After defeating Espanyol, Getafe, and Athletic Bilbao all by a margin of 1-0, Real Madrid will want to put on a much more convincing display at home against Deportivo Alaves on Friday. They already defeated Alaves 2-1 earlier this season, but they had to work hard to earn those three points in a notoriously difficult road match.

If Real want to dominate this week, they will need these five key players to be a their best.

LW Vinicius Junior

Eden Hazard “almost certainly” won’t be in the lineup against Alaves, meaning Vinicius Junior will most likely be the one to start against Alaves. Vinicius has the added benefit of receiving rest, as he did not face Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. Instead, Zinedine Zidane made the interesting decision of starting the left-footed Marco Asensio on the left and the right-footed Rodrygo Goes still on the right. Asensio had some dangerous deliveries, but neither players made half the impact Vini regularly does.

Vinicius was Real’s best player in wins over Real Sociedad and Mallorca, and he could very well be the difference-maker again when Real Madrid face Alaves on Friday. His dribbling ability, chance creation, and defensive qualities make him almost the perfect winger for Zidane.