Real Madrid beat Alaves 2-1: Los Blancos survive test to revive title chaseReal Madrid rediscovered their winning touch on Sunday night after

Rodrygo secured Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday in LaLiga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of leaders Barcelona.

Vinicius Junior, who had been relatively invisible all night long, bested Jonny Otto down the left flank with a blistering run that ended with a pass across the face of goal to his fellow countryman Rodrygo. The Brazilian calmly slotted home his first league goal in nearly 12 months to give Real Madrid the lead.

Rodrygo secured Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves on Sunday in LaLiga, ending a dismal run of form and keeping them within four points of leaders Barcelona.

Real Madrid defeated Alaves 2-1 on Sunday to take some of the heat off head coach Xabi Alonso for now. The Athletic reported on Thursday that Alonso was facing increasing pressure at the club after a poor run of results.

Spanish reports have revealed which one of Real Madrid and Barcelona that Kobbie Mainoo prefers to join amid claims both are positioning themselves in the mix to sign him in January, while sources have made clear the player’s stance on leaving Manchester United and with two more major European clubs also plotting approaches.

“Xabi stay, Xabi stay,” Barcelona fans chanted from the stands at Camp Nou during the match against Osasuna. The chant, clearly delivered with irony, reflects the current perception surrounding Alonso: that his time at Real Madrid has been harmful to the team. That explains why Barcelona supporters would like his tenure to last as long as possible.

Defeat for Real Madrid could hand La Liga’s champions a healthy lead atop the standings.