Soccer
Xabi Alonso said everyone at Real Madrid is pulling in the right direction after they earned a morale-boosting 2-1 victory at Alaves in LaLiga.
Alonso’s position has reportedly been discussed by the Madrid hierarchy just six months after he took the reins, but Saturday’s victory at the Estadio de Mendizorroza eased the pressure on the former midfielder.
Kylian Mbappe put Los Blancos ahead in the first half, before Carlos Vicente levelled for Alaves just 43 seconds after stepping off the bench in the second half.
But Vinicius Junior teed up Rodrygo for the winner 14 minutes from time as Madrid moved back within four points of Barcelona at the top of the table.
Madrid had to work hard for the three points, accumulating 1.9 expected goals (xG) from 13 shots, compared to Alaves’ figures of 1.4 xG and six shots.
“We are in this together, the team competed very well,” Alonso said after full-time. “Unity is fundamental for us, it’s the only way to give us solidity so we can make the improvements we want.
“We’re very focused on what we’re doing, and we’re all together, preparing for a game every three days.
“We are all in this together. This dynamic has to continue; one game is not enough. There is a long way to go, so we have to have continuity.”
Defender Valde made his debut for Madrid, with regular defensive starters Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras suspended.
At the age of 19 years and 55 days, he became the third-youngest defender to debut as a starter for Madrid this century, after Raphael Varane (18 years, 149 days) and Achraf Hakimi in 2017 (18 years, 331 days).
He became the first Madrid debutant to record five or more tackles and 12 or more duels (five and 12, respectively) in LaLiga since Isco had five tackles and 24 duels against Real Betis in August 2013.
5+12 – Víctor Valdepeñas “Valde” has become the first player to debut for @realmadriden in @LaLigaEN
with 5+ tackles and 12+ duels since Isco (5 and 24) and Dani Carvajal (5 and 13) in August 2013 vs Betis . War#AlavesRealMadrid https://t.co/bSHgIXlY23 pic.twitter.com/p3x973nsgL— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 14, 2025
For the most part, Alonso was impressed with Valde’s performance, saying: “We conceded from the only action in which Valde struggled.
“I give the players a lot of credit for the victory, with many players out. Valde made his debut. I congratulate him on his debut and his performance.”
Madrid visit third-tier Talavera in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, with Sevilla their next opponents in LaLiga three days later.
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