Three things you might have missed from Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid | OneFootball

For the first time in weeks, Real Madrid can afford a brief exhale. 

Their narrow 2-1 win over Alaves has stopped the bleeding and, at least for now, keeps them firmly in the La Liga title race. 

More importantly, it has eased the immediate pressure on Xabi Alonso, whose position had begun to look increasingly fragile before kick-off in Vitoria.

That said, this was not a statement performance. Madrid won, but they did so without ever fully asserting control. 

The result buys Alonso time rather than security, and the feeling remains that one victory alone will not be enough to change the broader narrative surrounding his future at the club.

The context surrounding this match made the challenge even steeper. Alonso headed with nine first-team players unavailable due to a mix of injuries and suspensions. 

The defensive line, in particular, was stretched to its limits, forcing the coach into uncomfortable decisions.

With no natural full-backs available, Alonso turned to the academy, handing Victor Valdepenas a surprise start at left-back. 

It was a gamble born out of necessity, one that underlined just how precarious Madrid’s situation has become during this decisive phase of the season.

For the first 20 minutes, Madrid looked aggressive and purposeful. The hosts were pinned back, struggling to escape their own half as Mbappe repeatedly found pockets of space and stretched the defensive structure. 

It was a reminder that, even on an off day, individual quality can still tilt games in Madrid’s favour.

That said, while a lot has already been discussed about this fixture, there were a few moments that went under the radar. Here we look at three such events.

Vinicius’ fury

One of the most emotionally charged moments of the night involved Vinicius Jr and a refereeing decision that infuriated the Madrid bench. 

The Brazilian was involved in a challenge with Nahuel Tenaglia inside the box, an action that Madrid firmly believed should have resulted in a penalty.

When Vinicius was later substituted, cameras caught a telling exchange between player and coach. 

Alonso attempted to calm his winger by insisting, “It was clear, it was very clear,” making his stance on the incident unmistakable.

Still visibly angry, Vinicius responded with a remark that reflected his growing frustration, saying, “He didn’t call it because it’s me, it was a clear penalty.” 

The controversy did not end with the final whistle. As Vinicius stopped to take photos with supporters outside the stadium, one fan referenced the incident directly, telling him, “What a penalty.” 

The Brazilian’s reaction was short but telling, replying, “Oh my God.”

Earlier footage from the pitch showed just how convinced Vinicius was in the heat of the moment. 

Immediately after the challenge, he could be heard saying, “It’s a clear penalty, for sure…” before his disbelief became clear when the referee waved play on.

Valverde targeted by the crowd

The atmosphere turned sour when Federico Valverde went down injured. 

In an incident that sparked widespread condemnation, sections of the Alaves crowd directed disturbing chants at the midfielder, shouting, “Step on him .. Step on him, Step on his head!”

The moment stood out as one of the darkest points of the night and drew a strong reaction from viewers, reinforcing the hostile environment Madrid had to navigate to secure the win.

Valdepenas seizes his moment

Lost amid the controversy was a quietly significant milestone. Victor Valdepenas, just 19 years old, made his senior debut in one of the most demanding scenarios imaginable. 

Thrust into the starting XI during a critical match for his coach, the academy full-back was asked to perform well beyond his years.

Valdepeñas lasted 78 intense minutes, holding his own defensively and showing composure under pressure. 

After the match, he was seen embracing his loved ones after the final whistle, which was fitting for the magnitude of the moment.