MADRID, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso's job looks to be on the line when he takes his side to play Deportivo Alaves on Sunday where he will have to field a makeshift defense in what is arguably his most important game since taking change.
Wednesday's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City left Alonso on the brink of the sack after a run of poor displays and results amid stories of dressing room division.
Although nobody could accuse the Real Madrid players of not giving everything against City, they did miss chances to take a draw, and the team was booed off the pitch after suffering consecutive home defeats following last weekend's 2-0 loss at home to Celta Vigo.
Last weekend's defeat has an important effect on Sunday, after full-backs Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were both sent off, while striker Endrick was shown a red card while protesting from the dugout, meaning all three are suspended.
Garcia and Carreras' red cards are especially significant given that Ferland Mendy is out injured, leaving Alonso without a left-back, although David Alaba or Dean Huijsen could cover.
Meanwhile, injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal also mean Madrid is without a specialist right-back, meaning Fede Valverde may have to play there despite his well-known aversion to the role.
Eder Militao's hamstring injury means he will be out for several months and an ankle problem deprives Alonso of Eduardo Camavinga's services.
However, there is one injury that will worry Alonso more than any of the above: Kylian Mbappe didn't play against Manchester City after feeling a muscle twinge - he also has a broken finger - and the fact Alonso chose not to risk his top scorer as Real Madrid was looking for an equalizer implies the striker does have a problem.
Mbappe has scored 15 of Real Madrid's 32 goals in La Liga this season, along with a further nine in the Champions League - over half his side's total - and the word 'Mbappedependence' has been coined to describe his team's reliance on his contribution.
If Mbappe is fit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Real Madrid's chances of winning are much better than without him, no matter who plays in defense, but more important than anything is that the team shows his commitment to Alonso, because if it doesn't his end will come sooner or later. ■
