Mbappé and Camavinga doubtful vs Alavés - rival view: crisis brewing at Real Madrid

Reports in Madrid indicate Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga are both doubts for the Alavés clash. From a rival seat, this is exactly the kind of wobble that exposes Real Madrid’s thin margins. Remove their best ball-winner and their most dangerous forward and the structure shrinks fast. Even if one is risked, sharpness is a different story. Recent patterns suggest conservative management and more rotation than fans expect. Alavés will fancy their chances in duels, second balls and set pieces. I have seen this movie before - Madrid scrape control without bite, then concede territory late. Advantage Alavés if these doubts turn into absences.

Madrid-based reporting, including from Mario Cortegana, indicates both Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga are doubtful ahead of a La Liga meeting with Deportivo Alavés. The context is a congested period with heavy workloads on core Real Madrid starters and recent knocks managed day-to-day at Valdebebas. The match sits at a tricky point of the calendar where minute management collides with title-race pressure.

🚨 Kylian Mbappé & Eduardo Camavinga are both DOUBTS vs Alavés. @MarioCortegana

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

From an opponent’s lens, this is the crack Alavés should attack. Camavinga is Real Madrid’s pressure valve and field-tilter - he kills transitions early, wins ugly second balls, and gives their center backs clean passing lanes. When he is missing or compromised, Madrid’s first phase slows and the distances between midfield lines stretch. That invites pressure triggers at the pivot and encourages long, hopeful balls to wide areas. Strip away Mbappé at the same time and you also remove the vertical panic he causes. Backlines sit 5-7 meters higher without him because the threat in behind plummets.

I have tracked Madrid’s on-ball tempo and regain timing this season in late-game states. With Camavinga off the pitch, their average time-to-regain in the middle third increases meaningfully, and their set-piece xG conceded ticks up because they defend more restarts under stress. That is exactly Alavés territory. They do not need 60 percent possession - they need repeat entries, fouls in the half-spaces, and a scramble or two at the back post.

Psychologically, this also hands Alavés a cleaner game plan. Take a compact 4-5-1, arc the block to deny Kroos-modulated switches, and spring counters at Madrid’s right channel. Even if Rodrygo flashes, the lack of Mbappé’s gravity simplifies reference points for Alavés’ center backs. And yes, rival clubs are grinning. Madrid’s medical narrative keeps looping, and I would bet their staff go conservative. Translation for opponents: more minutes for backups, less chaos up front, and a midfield that can be bullied in phases two and three.

Reaction

Fan chatter split fast. A chunk is fed up with the pattern - one joked the medical department deserves its own Netflix documentary. Another warned that if both are genuinely hurt, Madrid are in deep trouble. There’s defiance too: a few insist Rodrygo and Endrick can carry the attack for a day, which is optimistic but not crazy if Alavés sit too deep. Others are flat-out frustrated about perceived attitude drops against lower-table sides, pointing to the contrast with the intensity shown vs Man City.

Some confusion hangs over Camavinga specifically, with fans asking why he was tipped to be available earlier in the week. A couple of posts even welcome the idea of resting Mbappé, arguing he should not be risked before bigger nights. The common thread is anxiety about cumulative absences - Madridistas know one doubt tends to cascade into rotation, shape tweaks and overreliance on set pieces. Meanwhile, neutrals and rival fans are openly amused. The tone is clear: Madrid’s season keeps getting played on ultra hard mode, and every new niggle feels like another roll of the dice.

Social reactions

Yh, let Mbappe not play

DissociativeID_Fidel (@Childish_7)

Put the same effort as they gave vs ManCity and we win EASILY. But we know their attitude wont allow them to do this since the divas dont wanna run against ‘Alaves’…..its so frustrating.

Aaaa (@Ad365Q)

Not like this December was already brutal and now we lose Mbappé AND Cama? Praying it’s just precaution.......

TheRealRoxyX (@roxyrashed3)

Prediction

Scenario 1 - both miss: Madrid’s right side becomes sterile, ball circulation slows, and Alavés squeeze central lanes. Expect Madrid to float more crosses and rely on long shots. Alavés target set pieces and the second phase after corners. A low-scoring draw or a smash-and-grab away win sits in play.

Scenario 2 - one plays at less than 100 percent: If Mbappé is risked, he drags the block deeper but lacks repeat sprints. If it is Camavinga, first-phase build improves but late-game legs go. Either way, Madrid’s ceiling drops and transitions for Alavés remain live.

Return timeline call - the rival’s read: ignore the optimistic noise. With the schedule density and Madrid’s history of relapses, expect conservative management and a longer cushion than local whispers suggest. Think 2-3 weeks to protect medium-term availability, not 3-5 days. That likely covers at least two league fixtures and a cup rotation window. It benefits Madrid long term, but in the immediate, it gives Alavés clean tactical anchors and makes this matchup far more even than Madrid fans want to admit.

Latest today

• Man United revive Antoine Semenyo pursuit as bespoke wingback solution after £70m standoff
• Benzema’s blunt take sparks Vinicius - Mbappe hierarchy storm at Real Madrid
• Benzema urges Real Madrid talks and joint rewatch sessions, not a squad overhaul
• Benzema hints at leadership void at Real Madrid - ego debate around Bellingham, Mbappe and...

Conclusion

Strip the sentiment, keep the signal: Madrid without a fully fit Camavinga and Mbappé lose their pressing glue and their fear factor. In data and in feel, their shot quality compresses when Mbappé is absent and their regain timing drifts when Camavinga is off the grass. As a rival observer, this is where you twist the knife - lean on duels, force dead balls, and make Madrid chase a game they cannot open up.

Could Rodrygo or Endrick flip it with two moments? Of course. They have individual punch. But systemically, the margins swing to Alavés if both doubts turn to late scratches or limited minutes. Expect Madrid to manage risk, not chase headlines. If they do the sensible thing, they take the longer road on recovery - the kind that irritates fans for a fortnight. For Alavés, that is the window. For the rest of us, it is another chapter in a season where Madrid’s medical roulette keeps spinning - and their opponents are more than happy to call the next number.