Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has opted not to rest Kylian Mbappé for Tuesday’s La Liga match against Deportivo Alavés at the Santiago Bernabéu, contrary to earlier expectations. The French star, who has been a consistent starter since joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer, will again lead the line for Los Blancos.
During the pre-match press conference on Monday, Ancelotti was evasive when asked whether he would give Mbappé a break. However, he did confirm that some squad rotations were necessary. Notably, right-back Dani Carvajal will miss the game due to fitness concerns, though he is expected to return for the weekend’s Madrid derby. Ancelotti also clarified that despite rumors, young Brazilian talent Endrick would not make his debut start as the No. 9. Instead, the 18-year-old will remain on the bench, while Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo will handle the attacking duties alongside Mbappé.
Rotation in Midfield and Defense
Ancelotti has made significant changes in midfield, deploying Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde in a three-man setup supported by defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. The team captain, Luka Modrić, will be rested for this fixture. In defense, Éder Militão is set to start after being rested in the previous match against Espanyol. Lucas Vázquez will replace Carvajal at right-back, while Ferland Mendy will step in for Fran García on the left.
Real Madrid, one of the most successful football clubs globally, boasts 14 UEFA Champions League titles and 35 La Liga championships. The club has a storied rivalry with Barcelona, and with a win over Alavés, they can narrow the gap to just one point behind their Catalan rivals, who face Getafe on Wednesday.
On the other side, Deportivo Alavés, a club with a more modest history, has fluctuated much of its existence between La Liga and the lower divisions. Alavés, known for their hard-working and disciplined style, will look to pull off an upset at the Bernabéu. Founded in 1921, the Basque club’s most notable achievement came in 2001 when they reached the UEFA Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Liverpool in a thrilling 5-4 match.
As Real Madrid looks to maintain pressure on Barcelona at the top of the table, Ancelotti’s squad adjustments will be crucial in managing the team’s busy schedule while still securing essential victories.
