Real is having a historic season. La Liga has already been won, and the Champions League final is in the pocket. Not a single home defeat in all competitions. They have the best attack (78 goals) and the best defense (22 goals conceded) in Spain. There’s essentially no motivation to beat “Alaves” except one — Carlo Ancelotti’s team is playing so well that they can’t afford to stop. In the last round, even Real’s reserves defeated “Granada” on their turf — 4:0. The lineup against “Alaves” will definitely be stronger — both Judd and Vini will be there, along with Rodrigo. Maybe Lunin will play, although Courtois’ position in Madrid is still stronger. And, of course, “Real” will play from a position of strength, with possession and only aiming for victory. How else? It’s the first home match as champions, they have to please the crowd.
The Basques also had a very cool season by their standards. Luis Garcia’s team, with minimal resources, secured their registration by gathering 42 points. “Alaves” is noticeably stronger at home than away, where they only earned 14 points. Also, their defense is much stronger than their attack, which scores about one goal per 90 minutes. But there’s a pleasant nuance for the Basques — they are progressing. In the last 4 matches, the team has collected 10 points, defeating “Atletico” (2:0) and holding “Girona” (2:2). Of course, this doesn’t guarantee anything against “Real,” but it does make “Alaves” more dangerous than they were in the fall. And take a look at Diego Simeone’s son, Juliano — he’s very persistent and noticeable on the left flank of the attack; it seems that we will see him at “Atletico” in the new season.
