Xabi Alonso cools talk on Mbappé for Alavés as dressing room closes ranks

Xabi Alonso says it is too early to confirm if Kylian Mbappé will face Alavés, confirming the forward was not fit to play in the latest match. The absence was felt on the pitch, and the conversation now shifts to whether Real Madrid risk him in a must-win La Liga fixture to keep pace with Barcelona. Inside the squad, public signals of unity appeared, with Rodrygo embracing the coach post-match. The debate among fans is sharp - from calling for tactical self-reliance without Mbappé to questioning lineup decisions - but the staff will base the call on medical thresholds and match risk.

Post-match in Madrid, the head coach clarified that Kylian Mbappé was not fit to feature and that a decision for the Alavés game would be made closer to kickoff. The fixture arrives amid pressure to maintain the title pace with Barcelona. Senior players showed visible support for the coach following the final whistle, reflecting an intent to steady the group before the trip to Mendizorrotza.

🗣️ Xabi Alonso: “Mbappé vs Alaves? It's too early to talk about it. He wasn't fit to play today. He's missed when he's not on the pitch.”

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

The immediate sporting impact of Mbappé’s absence is twofold: chance creation volume and defensive gravity. With him, Real Madrid compresses the pitch vertically, forcing backlines to retreat and unlocking central lanes for Bellingham and Rodrygo to attack second balls. Without him, Madrid must manufacture width and depth more deliberately, leaning on fullbacks to stretch and on Rodrygo’s off-ball runs to pin center backs. That typically reduces shot quality consistency against low blocks and increases the burden on set pieces and long shots.

Alonso’s public caution is strategically sound. Soft-tissue risk rises when a high-acceleration forward is rushed back after a missed game, and the marginal points gained in December or January can be erased by a multi-week setback. Expect a plan built around flexible pressure triggers: Bellingham toggling between a 10 and secondary striker lane, Rodrygo attacking the right half-space, and an emphasis on early switches to target weak-side fullback gaps.

Squad dynamics matter too. Rodrygo’s visible support boosts the message alignment around the coach. That unity can stabilize in-game responses when the first big chance doesn’t fall. Even if Mbappé is cleared for minutes, a controlled cameo could be optimal - preserving his sprint profile while maintaining threat value in transition late on.

Reaction

Fan sentiment splits into clear camps. One faction pins the problem on player attitude, not the coach, demanding higher intensity and accountability from the XI. Another warns that Alavés is a must-win to keep Barcelona within reach, fearing that if Mbappé misses out the mood could turn and the pressure will spike. There’s a vocal minority accusing the star of ducking big moments, while others fire back that he was simply not in top form and shouldn’t be risked. Tactical voices argue the squad must learn to function without him and question why he appeared in the provisional lineup if he wasn’t fit. Amid the noise, a softer strand lands - empathy for Alonso, highlighted by Rodrygo’s embrace and message of solidarity. That moment resonates with supporters who prioritize cohesion over outrage, framing the week ahead as a test of structure, not stardom.

Social reactions

The next match is against Alavés on Sunday. That's a must-win to stay close to Barcelona in La Liga. If he misses that, the crisis will deepen, and the pressure will become unbearable.

SVM Football (@SVMFootball)

I laid down to sleep but Madrid laid down pain inside my chest. I’m wide awake suffering in HD bring me back beautiful club 😭😭🙏

TEMITOPE 30BG (@OlabisoyeT)

No different from Mbappe and Osimhen. Always running from important game

Here we Go Again 🙏 (@FrankDogl)

Prediction

Two clean scenarios stand out. If Mbappé is held back, expect a conservative first hour focused on control rather than chaos: Madrid to build with patient rotations, protect rest-defense, and target late surges from fresh legs. The risk is a lower xG accumulation against a compact Alavés, elevating the need for a set-piece or a Bellingham timing run. If he is cleared for limited minutes, a 25-30 minute cameo could flip the field - drawing double teams, opening cutback lanes for Rodrygo, and forcing Alavés to abandon a deep shell.

Across the next 3-4 fixtures, the bigger picture is workload management. Madrid’s staff will likely run sprint metrics and asymmetry checks before green-lighting full minutes. The league race with Barcelona pushes urgency, but the Champions League knockout horizon punishes rash calls. Likeliest path: start without Mbappé, escalate only if the game state demands it. With cleaner box occupation and sharper counter-pressing triggers, Madrid should still find enough to edge Alavés, with or without their marquee forward.

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Conclusion

Alonso’s stance is pragmatic: protect the player, protect the season. Madrid’s issue isn’t one star missing - it’s how the structure adapts when the gravitational threat up top is reduced. The encouraging piece is the locker room signal. Rodrygo’s public backing of the coach matters because it converts a tense news cycle into a rallying point. The decision for Alavés should be made on medical certainty and game-state planning, not sentiment. If the press is synchronized and the wide supply chains are efficient, the team has enough to control the match and create high-quality looks. If Mbappé is available, a late cameo maximizes impact while minimizing risk. Either way, the standard is unchanged: collective intensity first, talent as the accelerator, not the crutch.