Kylian Mbappé’s reckless challenge on Antonio Blanco left Real Madrid with a tense second half, but they managed to hold on for a 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Alavés, who also ended the match with 10 men. The victory came after Eduardo Camavinga’s stunning 34th-minute strike put Real ahead, though the match was marred by a series of red cards.
Raúl Asencio thought he had given Real Madrid the lead earlier, nodding in a corner in the 19th minute. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, which revealed Asencio had used an Alavés defender to support himself when scoring. Furthermore, a challenge by Antonio Rüdiger on goalkeeper Jésus Owono had also been deemed a foul, nullifying the goal.
Despite this setback, Real took the lead 15 minutes later, as Camavinga fired a brilliant shot from outside the box after a well-executed one-two with Federico Valverde. It was a crucial goal for Real, as it was the midfielder’s first league strike since March 2022.
However, things took a dramatic turn in the 38th minute when Mbappé was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Blanco. The referee initially issued a yellow card but changed the decision to red after consulting with the VAR. It left Real Madrid down to 10 men, which made the second half a tense affair.
Alavés tried to capitalize on the numerical advantage after the restart, with Carlos Martín forcing Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into action with a low strike from outside the area. For a while, the hosts were pressuring Real Madrid, but their hopes were dashed when Manu Sánchez was also shown a red card in the 54th minute for a foul on Vinícius Júnior, evening up the numbers on the field.
The remainder of the match was a nervy affair for Real, but they managed to hold on to their slim lead. Alavés continued to push for an equalizer, but they struggled to break down Real’s defense. A late chance for Jude Bellingham was denied by Owono, and despite a flurry of efforts from the hosts, Madrid maintained their advantage to secure all three points.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who was suspended for the match after accumulating five yellow cards, watched from the stands as his son, Davide Ancelotti, took charge. Following the match, the elder Ancelotti spoke about Mbappé’s red card, acknowledging the player’s regret. “Kylian is certainly not a violent guy; he is a guy who has apologized and is aware of the mistake he has made,” Ancelotti said. “It was a clear red card, and he has paid the consequences. I think that the many small fouls committed against him led to his reaction, which, of course, was the wrong way to react.”
Meanwhile, in Serie A, Atalanta returned to winning ways with a vital 2-0 victory over Bologna. The win came after a run of three consecutive losses, providing a much-needed boost for their push for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Atalanta’s coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, expressed his satisfaction with the result, particularly as it came against a strong Bologna side sitting in fifth place.
Atalanta took the lead early in the third minute when Mateo Retegui opened the scoring. The striker, who has been key for Atalanta throughout the season, also played a pivotal role in the team’s second goal, assisting Mario Pasalic in the 21st minute. Retegui’s performance earned praise from Gasperini, who described it as his best of the season. “For his quality and intensity, he was a constant reference point for the rest of the team,” Gasperini remarked.
With the win, Atalanta moved up to third place in Serie A, two points ahead of fourth-placed Juventus, with only six matches remaining. Gasperini highlighted the significance of the victory, noting that such wins could be crucial in the race for European qualification.
