Deportivo Alaves vs Real Madrid

Injuries galore

Kroos out precaution
Marcelo out with grade 2 tear of hamstring 3-4 weeks
Theo dislocated shoulder 2 weeks
Kovacic 4 weeks
Benzema started light training
Vallejo lost cause

We are down to our bare skin here. Line up sort of picks itself

honestly the balls of this guy. I feel it's going to be very beneficial in the long run

Lol Mallenco. He has been whistling every other second. Half of it not even close to being a foul. Surprised he didn't call foul for our goal

Ceballos, Casemiro and Isco have been very good. Asensio not involved enough. Lucas needs to put in some crosses. He hasn't been taking on players enough for me.

Not the best game but we are getting things done

our finishing this season. God almighty......

Alaves players on the ground. Spent more this game than they have in previous two season combined. Try working this hard against the cules huh

If we ever get a penalty from being manhandled on corners/freekicks I am going to be very surprised. Those are only given against us not for us

Alaves should've played with 2 plwyers down the thugs. If we did what other teams do to us we wouldn't have any players left

I think it's very similar to last season but unlike then there aren't any last minute goals and we create infinitely more chances now than last season. We are just getting used to the new players and formations imo. Once we get our shit together we'll see the difference. I am was scared we'd peaked too early after the Uefa/Spanish super cups. Glad we didn't, hopefully we are following similar trajectory as last season and peak when it matters

I took a lot of positives from this game.

Sure we are having problems, most of it being team adjusting to new players, formations, etc. Ronaldo is showing early season rust. There have been defensive lapses from Carvajal and a blunder by Navas, but mostly it has been the lack of goal scorers, mostly from Benz and Bale. But we have been consistently creating and getting lots of chances. Once the team gels, most of our problems will disappear.

the positives

1. Team selection. Looks like maybe Zidane is recognizing the main issues (BB). Him benching Bale is a very positive sign IMO.

2. Ronaldo playing the pure 9 position and actually looking comfortable there, although there is still rust showing thru.

3. Ceballos impressive. I like what Zidane is doing with the new young talents. Like Asensio last year, he is trying to ease their introduction into team and slowly develop them. We've already seen Theo show well and today now Ceballos. Still to see are Llorente and Vallejo (with the later I hope he isn't another Illarra, where nerves and early injury basically screwed his career at Madrid.) However, there is no doubt in my mind that both of these guys have the talent. Llorente has looked too timid thus far IMO, although there have been some good moments, particularly last time he was out there. I don't include Mayoral nor Achraf, as they are only there to fill vacant roster spots and have not thus far showed the talent the other kids have. It remains to be seen if they can cut it here or if they will end up playing for Alaves which is essentially a team of Castilla alumni.

4. Isco, absolutely MOM again. Where is Chad!!!

5. That Asensio is being considered a consistent starter.

6. the energy and game Lucas brings to the table. He and Nacho are our very good bench players.

7. I like the partnership that Ramos and Varane are developing. A lot has been made about Pepe leaving, but it really has allowed Varane to step into that consistent starter mode and Nacho has emerged as a good #3 (in addition to his role as #5 defender capably able to provide cover for all 4 defensive positions.

8. Our midfield is consistently probably the best out there and they are doing it with 7 or 8 different players. If they aren't the best out there, at least we have the strongest midfield bench out there.