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Who:<\/strong> Alaves vs Real Madrid Real Madrid will hope to ease the pressure on Xabi Alonso when they visit Alaves on Sunday, but the record La Liga winners will know that one more defeat could spell the end of the short-lived tenure of their beleaguered manager.<\/p>\n list of 4 items<\/span>end of list<\/span><\/p>\n In a welcome show of solidarity, Los Blancos midfielder Jude Bellingham said on Wednesday, after their defeat by Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, that the players were behind Alonso and no one was \u201cdowning tools\u201d.<\/p>\n More welcome news for the Madrid-based club is that Kylian Mbappe is back in contention for Sunday\u2019s game after missing out against City due to injury.<\/p>\n Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at what is surely a must-not-lose for Alonso, but \u2013 with Barcelona seven points clear \u2013 may well be a must-win.<\/p>\n Alonso, whom Spanish media reported was set for the sack if Madrid lost against City, remains at the helm despite a 2-1 defeat at a frustrated, whistling Bernabeu.<\/p>\n The hope is that the match, despite the outcome, can be a turning point for a team with just two wins in their last eight games across all competitions.<\/p>\n Alonso\u2019s players rallied around him, with not only Bellingham offering public messages of support after the game and even during it, as goalscorer Rodrygo Goes ran over to hug his manager.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing we can do is change our attitude \u2026 and [against City] we saw a change,\u201d said defender Raul Asencio.<\/p>\n Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was another Madrid player who backed the coach, and believes the situation will be eased when results turn.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of us here support the coach with all our heart, and by winning on Sunday, we will change this dynamic,\u201d said Courtois.<\/p>\n After Madrid\u2019s improved display against City, it did not make sense for President Florentino Perez to let the axe fall.<\/p>\n It would be easy to make that call the next time the team stumbles \u2013 and if it really is a turning point, and that doesn\u2019t happen, that would work for him too. Particularly given the lack of an obvious replacement.<\/p>\n Alonso, meanwhile, said he hoped Madrid\u2019s current woes could make the team stronger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are having difficulties, but we can grow,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we can get past these tough times, change the dynamic, maybe in a few weeks we\u2019ll look back and think \u2018we went through a lot, but it made us stronger.’\u201d<\/p>\n On feeling the criticism and doubts, Alonso said he is not surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to live with it, and when you\u2019re the coach of Real Madrid, you have to be prepared to face it bravely, responsibly and self-critically, knowing that things can change,\u201d the former Madrid midfielder said. \u201cDespite the result, I\u2019ve seen positive things individually and collectively. Other things haven\u2019t gone so well, but we\u2019re still in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Los Blancos went into meltdown in their last outing in the Spanish top flight as two players saw red in the 2-0 home defeat by Celta Vigo.<\/p>\n Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia were sent off, and are suspended as a result for the trip to Alaves.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccb\u2705 Our squad for the match!
What:<\/strong> Spain\u2019s La Liga
Where:<\/strong> Mendizorroza Stadium in Vitoria, Spain
When:<\/strong> Sunday, December 14, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow:<\/strong> We\u2019ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.<\/p>\nRecommended Stories <\/h2>\n
How much pressure is mounting on Real Madrid coach Alonso?<\/h2>\n
What is Alonso\u2019s take on Real Madrid\u2019s struggles?<\/h2>\n
What happened in Real Madrid\u2019s last La Liga game?<\/h2>\n
\ud83c\udd9a @Alaves<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/eOmzjSRcG7<\/a><\/p>\n