Real Madrid Tames Mendizorrotza: A Victory of Ruthless Efficiency Against a Dominant Alavés!

Context and Stakes: The Mendizorrotza Cauldron Tests the Madrid Giant

Welcome, football fanatics! Today, we look back at a Spanish LALIGA clash that had all the makings of a banana skin for the league’s runners-up. Real Madrid, sitting solidly in 2nd place, travelled to the always-tough Mendizorrotza stadium to face Deportivo Alavés, who were 15th and looking to pull further away from the relegation zone. A classic David vs. Goliath? Not so fast! Alavés, spurred on by their passionate home crowd, are known for their ability to upset the big guns. For Madrid, every point is crucial in the title race. For Alavés, every point is vital for survival. The tension was palpable even before kick-off.

Match Narrative: Sterile Domination vs. Surgical Efficiency

The whistle blows, and surprisingly, it’s Alavés who take control of the game. The Basque side display astonishing confidence, monopolising the ball and making the Madrid players chase shadows. The final possession stats speak volumes: 56% for Alavés compared to just 44% for Real Madrid. Clear territorial dominance! However, football can be cruel, and it’s often a game of efficiency. On one of their rare forays forward, Los Blancos strike. Eduardo Camavinga, with a clean strike, opens the scoring in the 24th minute. A cold shower for Mendizorrotza. Far from being discouraged, the home side push forward again but leave themselves open to counter-attacks. And who else but Kylian Mbappé to exploit a swift transition? The Frenchman doubles the lead in the 36th minute. 0-2 at half-time, a harsh scoreline given the run of play.

The second half mirrors the first: Alavés push, Madrid manage. The Babazorros pile on the pressure, racking up attempts (11 total shots!) and are eventually rewarded. Manu Sánchez, in the 70th minute, pulls one back, reigniting hope throughout the stadium. The final twenty minutes are tense, with Alavés throwing everything forward, but the Madrid defence holds firm. A remarkable and quite incredible fact: official statistics show only 4 total shots for Real Madrid, with just 1 on target! Scoring two goals under these circumstances suggests either supernatural efficiency or a potential error in data collection. Alavés, with 4 shots on target, will feel aggrieved. Another surprising statistic: zero fouls recorded for either team and no cards shown (0 yellow, 0 red), which seems highly improbable in such a contested match. Corners slightly favoured Madrid (6 to 4).

(Visual Suggestion: A chart comparing ball possession and the number of shots/shots on target to illustrate the match paradox.)

Tactical Analysis and Individual Performances: Madrid’s Realism vs. Basque Fury

Tactically, Alavés surprised with their desire to build from the back and dominate the midfield. Luis García Plaza had clearly instructed his men to play high and press. This approach allowed them to win the ball back frequently (56% possession) but lacked cutting edge in the final third. The 12 fouls committed (if this data point is more reliable than the zero fouls overall) reflect the intensity brought by the home side. Real Madrid, meanwhile, seemed to adopt a more reactive stance, perhaps surprised by their opponents’ boldness or deliberately choosing to strike on the counter. The low shot count (4) and reduced possession (44%) starkly contrast with the final result. Carlo Ancelotti can praise the ice-cold realism of his attackers. Camavinga and Mbappé were surgical, converting their few chances into goals. The defence, although tested, only conceded once despite Alavés’ 11 shots.

Player-wise, Manu Sánchez was the local hero with his goal. The Alavés midfield deserves credit for controlling the tempo, even if the attack lacked precision. For Madrid, besides the goalscorers, the defensive solidity in key moments must be highlighted. Their efficiency in front of goal was the X-factor, masking a collective performance that was perhaps less commanding than usual in terms of control.

(Visual Suggestion: A table with key player statistics: goals, shots, successful passes for key players like Camavinga, Mbappé, Sánchez.)

Conclusion: Madrid Secure the Essentials, Alavés Deserved More

At the final whistle, it’s Real Madrid who leave with all three points (a 1-2 victory), maintaining pressure in the title race and consolidating their 2nd place. A pragmatic win, built on ruthless efficiency rather than overwhelming dominance. For Alavés (15th), the defeat is frustrating. Luis García’s men delivered a performance full of desire and technical control against a top side, even dominating possession. They can build on this performance for the rest of the season but must find more clinical finishing to ensure their survival. This match will be remembered as a fascinating statistical anomaly: rarely has a team dominated possession and territory so much only to lose, and rarely has a team been so lethal with so few opportunities. Real Madrid march on, while Alavés showed they have the fight. LALIGA continues to surprise!