La Liga 2025-2026: Real Madrid-Alaves, the likely lineups.
Between the most interesting matches of Tuesday’s La Liga match in which the 32nd day kicks off, Real Madrid-Alaves (kickoff at 9:30 p.m.) certainly stands out. After the scalding elimination in the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich, the Blancos return to the Bernabeu to dive back into the league.
The standings, however, do not smile on Arbeloa’s team: second place at -9 from eternal rivals Barcelona leaves little hope of a title comeback. In these last seven days, in fact, Barcelona is expected to suffer such a collapse that it will lose three games, or one more defeat than it has collected so far in the entire tournament. The challenge against Alaves, however, should serve to boost morale: the Merengues have not won since the 3-2 win in the derby with Atletico a month ago.
On the other hand, Quique Sanchez Flores’ team is experiencing a golden moment: their four consecutive useful results have allowed the Whites to temporarily exit the relegation zone. However, the margin remains minimal (+1 over Elche) and attention must remain very high. Although the away trip is prohibitive, the Basque coach can count on a reborn offensive phase: the 10 goals scored in the last four outings testify to its state of grace.
Arbeola will rely on Lunin in goal, Militao and Huijsen (ahead of Rudiger) as centerbacks, in the midfield untouchable Tchouameni and Valverde, Arda Guler and Bellingham supporting the Vincius-Mbappé duo.
Quique Sanchez goes with his 3-5-2: Sivera between the posts, defensive trio composed of Parada, Tenaglia and Jonny, Blanco and Ibanez sure of their places in the midfield with Guridi vanishing over Alena as third. Up front the attacking pair Boye-Toni Martinez.
Probable lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Huijsen, Eder Militao, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Arda Guler, Mbappé, Vinicius Jr. All. Arbeloa.
Alaves (3-5-2): Sivera; Jonny, Tenaglia, Parada; Perez, Ibanez, Blanco, Alena, Youssef; Martinez, Boye. All. Quique Sanchez Flores.
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