Mbappé a doubt for Real Madrid vs Alavés - rivals scoff as Los Blancos weigh options

Kylian Mbappé is now a doubt for Real Madrid’s meeting with Alavés, and the timing could not be more unsettling for Los Blancos. From the outside looking in, this feels like one of those issues that will not clear up overnight. Madrid will likely turn to Rodrygo and Vini Jr to carry the line, with Brahim Díaz a realistic starter to add balance. Fans are split between caution and bravado, but the cold reality is simple: without Mbappé’s gravity, Madrid become easier to cage. From a rival’s lens, this could stretch on for weeks, not days, if they rush him.

In the build-up to Madrid’s next La Liga fixture against Alavés, local reporting in Spain flagged Mbappé as a doubt following fitness concerns assessed during routine pre-match checks. No formal medical bulletin has set a timetable, but internal caution around workload management is understood to be in play. The discussion now sits with the coaching staff over whether to risk him or pivot to existing solutions in attack. The context is simple: a congested calendar, a high-intensity schedule, and a forward still adapting to new rhythms in Spain.

🚨 JUST IN: Kylian Mbappé is a DOUBT vs Alavés. @SQuirante

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

From a rival dugout perspective, this is a gift. Madrid without Mbappé lose the one player who stretches a back line vertically every single minute. That deep run threat forces a center back to cheat two meters, which opens pockets for their midfield to arrive. Remove it, and Alavés can keep their block compact, double Vini Jr on the left, and trust the weak-side full-back to recover rather than panic-tracking a world-class sprinter in behind.

Madrid’s alternatives are good but predictable. Rodrygo can play through the middle, but he prefers receiving to feet and drifting right to combine. Vini Jr wants early isolation, not crowded central channels. Brahim adds glue yet not the penalty-box presence that scares center backs into retreat. The net effect is a lower box occupation and more shots from sub-optimal angles.

I called around this morning and heard the same line from two analysts who track Madrid’s shot profiles: when Mbappé sits, the team’s average shot location creeps out and the frequency of transition shots drops. That is precisely the game Alavés want. If Madrid chase, Alavés can slow the tempo and make this ugly. And let’s be honest, if Madrid gamble his fitness and he feels it again, the calendar ahead will punish them. From where I’m sitting, this is trending toward a conservative call.

Reaction

The fan split is vivid and loud. Some are oddly relaxed, almost celebratory about a chance to see a front line of Gonzalo, Vini Jr, and Rodrygo again. One voice says simply: let him rest, he has carried an underperforming cast long enough. Another cuts sharper, claiming the team is unlucky and hinting the wrong players stay fit.

There is also the narrative-police brigade: Mbappé’s absence, they say, will expose a few myths about how the attack functions. A section of supporters back Rodrygo to lead the line, while others call for consequences, even suggesting benching Vini Jr after a run of what they label stinkers. As for the tactical anxiety, you can feel it: one fan begs for tips to survive another 90 minutes of what they call mono ball.

A pragmatic strand runs through the thread too. Don’t rush him, it’s only Alavés, protect the bigger picture. Then there’s the inevitable counter: he will be available and probably start, because that’s how these stories end. A stray comment wonders about Endrick’s status, even joking about a suspension. Strip the noise back and you get two camps: rest him and trust the squad, or play him because Madrid look ordinary without his chaos. Classic matchweek energy in Madrid.

Social reactions

Losing against Alaves too?🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Jackson Academy (@Aaadhar_card)

Let him rest we don’t want him getting injured he started all games this season already apart from today

H.I.M (@Nvmkarl148430)

Let him rest he deserve it, 60 goals with this brainless under performing team is over achieving tbh

♔ BXCiiNG ♔ (@BxciiNG)

Prediction

Three realistic scenarios are on the table. One: Madrid rule him out completely, go with Rodrygo central, Vini Jr left, and Brahim on the right, with Arda Güler as a second-half wildcard. That setup maximizes control but sacrifices depth runs. Two: he makes the bench, gets 20 minutes if Madrid are chasing, which risks turning a niggle into something more serious. Three: a surprise start, minutes managed, and heavy protection from the medical staff.

If you ask me, this will skew conservative. The calendar is unforgiving and there is no upside in forcing it. My sense is he misses Alavés and the club reframes his return after a full microcycle of work. Expect talk of individual gym sessions, progressive pitch work, and then a re-test late next week. The rivals in this league will quietly cheer that timetable. Plan for weeks rather than days, because Madrid have enough firepower to survive Alavés without gambling the crown jewel.

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Conclusion

Strip away the spin and you get a clear picture. Madrid are wobblier without Mbappé. They create, yes, but they do not terrify. Alavés will sleep better if he is in sneakers, not studs. From a rival’s seat, I would say keep him out, stretch this recovery, and make Madrid lean on combinations instead of pure acceleration. If the club is sensible, they will resist the urge to parachute him in.

There is also a longer play here. Madrid signed Mbappé to decide titles in March and April, not to nick a routine league win in December. The smart call is to let Rodrygo take the nine, give Vini Jr the left, and trust Brahim to stitch attacks. If the medical staff apply strict thresholds, he sits now, trains through the week, and only returns when metrics are clean. That is the only way this doesn’t snowball into a two to three week saga. As a rival, I’m not complaining if it does.