Real Madrid faces a critical juncture in their season as they prepare to host Deportivo Alavés in La Liga on Tuesday, April 21, at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match kicks off at 8:30 PM local time (19:30 GMT).
This fixture arrives in the wake of a devastating 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, a result that has extinguished the club's last realistic hope for silverware this campaign. The loss in Munich, described by manager Álvaro Arbeloa as a match where his players gave "their souls and their lives," has left the 15-time European champions confronting the stark possibility of a second consecutive trophyless season.
"I’ve always tried to help the club in the best way I can, and that’s how it will be until the last day," Arbeloa told reporters post-match. "I’m not at all worried [about my future] and I will understand perfectly any decision that the club takes."
The Champions League exit compounds a domestic campaign that has already seen a shock Copa del Rey loss to second-tier Albacete in January. In La Liga, Madrid trails arch-rivals Barcelona by nine points with only seven matches remaining. A victory for Barcelona in the upcoming Clásico on May 10 could mathematically seal the title for the Catalans, a scenario that would deepen the misery at the Bernabéu.
Star striker Kylian Mbappé took to social media to rally the squad, stating, "failure has never been and never will be an option" for Real Madrid. He vowed, "We will start winning again and very soon."
Meanwhile, the visitors, Alavés, arrive in Madrid embroiled in their own desperate battle. Managed by Quique Sánchez Flores, the Basque side sits just one point above the relegation zone. Flores acknowledged the monumental task ahead, describing Madrid as a team that "pushes you to the limit" and emphasizing the need for flawless execution and a touch of luck at the Bernabéu.
Team News and Context:
Real Madrid will be without long-term absentee Rodrygo (ACL injury) and defender Raúl Asencio (illness). Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains sidelined, meaning Andriy Lunin will continue in goal. There is a boost, however, with the return of key midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni from suspension.
Historically, Madrid dominates this fixture, having won the last eight encounters. Alavés's last victory at the Bernabéu was a shock 2-1 result in November 2020. The pressure is squarely on the hosts to halt a winless run that has stretched to a month across all competitions and to salvage pride from a season rapidly slipping away.