Madrid's rollercoaster: Two men are back, nine men are out

The unprecedented crisis at Santiago Bernabeu is still in full swing, and the first in line to pay the price is the manager, Xabi Alonso. The tactician's position in the dugout is hanging by a thread, just six and a half months after arriving in the Spanish capital.

A victory in tonight's clash against Deportivo Alaves (23.00) wouldn't change the public's or Real Madrid management's mind, but would postpone the eventual sack. In other words, if Los Blancos fail to win tonight, Alonso can start looking for a new job tomorrow morning.

Even though the Basque side isn't a rival that should strike fear in Madrid's bones, in the giants' current situation, any opponent would be dangerous. To make matters worse, Alonso will experience severe headaches trying to assemble the best lineup and avoid being fired.

Good news first - Kylian Mbappe and Dean Huijsen are back on the team and should take their places in the XI. The Frenchman's return particularly bolsters the situation, considering his 25 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions this season.

However, the other side of the coin is as unpleasant as it gets, given that as many as nine players will be unavailable for the game tonight.

Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy are out for injuries, while Fran Garcia, Endrick, and Alvaro Carreras were all sent off against Celta Vigo last weekend.

Raphinha to the rescue

Subsequently, Alonso had to fill the squad with several youngsters, such as the third-choice custodian Sergio Mestre, the midfielder Thiago Pitarch, the centre-back Joan Martinez, and Victor Valdepenas, who is even expected to start on the left defensive side.

Alaves are winless against Madrid since July 2020, but tonight, they'll have a colossal chance to bring the giants to their knees. Who knows if they'll ever have a better one...

LA LIGA - ROUND 16

Friday

Sociedad - Girona 1-2 (1-0)

/Guedes 35 - Tsygankov 76, 84/

Saturday

Atletico Madrid - Valencia 2-1 (1-0)

/Koke 17, Griezmann 74 - Beltran 63/

Mallorca - Elche 3-1 (1-1)

/Morlanes 5, Mascarell 82, Muriqi 89 - Maffeo 21 og/

Barcelona - Osasuna 2-0 (0-0)

/Raphinha 70, 86/

Getafe - Espanyol 0-1 (0-0)

/Cabrera 53/

Sunday

Sevilla - Oviedo IN PROGRESS

18.15: (2.75) Celta (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.85)

20.30: (4.50) Levante (4.20) Villareal (1.75)

23.00: (5.30) Alaves (3.60) Real Madrid (1.70)

Monday

23.00: (2.60) Rayo Vallecano (3.50) Betis (2.80)

*** odds are subject to change ***