La Liga Round 7: Real Madrid’s Bench Depth Yet to Recover, Valladolid Tougher Than Expected

In the early hours of September 25th, Beijing time, La Liga Round 7 continued with several key matchups. Real Madrid, a team chasing the defending champions Barcelona, heads into this round with significant injury concerns. In their previous game, two critical players, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, were sidelined with injuries. Although their conditions are not severe, there’s little reason for coach Carlo Ancelotti to risk starting them in this upcoming fixture.

Adding to their woes, important substitutes like Brahim Díaz and David Alaba are still recovering from injuries, forcing Madrid into some unavoidable squad rotations. Despite Valladolid's recent heavy defeat to Barcelona, in which they conceded seven goals, their defensive stats tell a different story: they have managed to keep clean sheets in 50% of their games this season. Far from being a pushover, they may pose a greater challenge than their record suggests.

Real Madrid vs. Alavés: The Season’s First Rotation

Real Madrid’s last outing saw them score four goals, their highest tally in a single La Liga match this season. However, Barcelona also secured a big win, leaving Madrid still in the role of the chaser. Just like in their previous three games, Madrid found themselves level at 0-0 by halftime, only to break the deadlock and claim victory in the second half. This pattern is unusual; in the eight competitive matches Madrid has played this season, including the UEFA Super Cup, the only time they led at halftime was in the opening round of La Liga. In every other match, they either trailed or were tied going into the break. This stands in sharp contrast to their rivals, Barcelona, who often seem to wrap up their matches within the first 20 minutes, leaving Madrid fans envious.

In their previous home game against Espanyol, Real Madrid once again dominated possession in the first half but couldn’t find the back of the net. Ironically, it was their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who gifted Espanyol the lead early in the second half, deflecting a cross into his own net. Espanyol’s lead didn’t last long, though. Just four minutes after conceding, Madrid capitalized on a defensive error inside Espanyol's box, allowing Carvajal to slot home from close range. Notably, Carvajal confirmed that if he hadn’t touched the ball, it wouldn’t have gone in, thus sparing Bellingham from losing credit for the initial effort.

Once Madrid gained the lead, their attack became relentless. The forward line came alive, with Vinícius Jr. scoring thanks to an assist from Kylian Mbappé, while a late penalty kick offered Mbappé a chance to add to his tally. The Frenchman stepped up confidently, much to the delight of Madrid supporters, once again showing the positive influence of Ancelotti’s tactical guidance.

Alavés, on the other hand, have had an unexpectedly strong start to the season. With 10 points from their first six games, they sit comfortably in sixth place on the league table. Their home form has been particularly impressive, with two wins and a draw, keeping them unbeaten at their stadium. In their previous match, Alavés made quick work of a struggling Sevilla side, scoring early in both halves and effectively sealing the game within 20 minutes of each period.

However, their away performances have been less encouraging, losing two of their three road games, both by narrow one-goal margins. Despite these defeats, Alavés remain competitive in all their outings. Now, facing Real Madrid after just a three-day rest, the Basque side will look to maintain their efficient style of play and keep the game tight.

Madrid’s quick turnaround means Ancelotti will almost certainly rotate his squad. With Bellingham and Carvajal likely missing out, Madrid will have to rely on their bench strength, which, as of now, is yet to fully recover from injuries. Even with a depleted squad, Madrid should have enough firepower to secure a win and could well keep a clean sheet against an Alavés side that tends to struggle away from home.

Sevilla vs. Valladolid: A Battle of Marginal Gains

Sevilla's season has started far from smoothly. After a brief resurgence, they once again faltered in their last game, falling to an in-form Alavés on the road. Currently hovering just one point above the relegation zone, Sevilla's struggles are emblematic of deeper problems within the squad. Apart from their opening win against Las Palmas, who now sit bottom of the league, Sevilla has failed to score more than one goal in any game, forcing them to accept a mediocre standing in La Liga.

Following the 2022 World Cup, Sevilla lost key players like Bono and Youssef En-Nesyri, while veterans such as Jesús Navas are well past their prime. Additionally, the younger players haven’t stepped up to fill the void. The threat of relegation looms larger each week, and Sevilla now looks toward their loan signing from Atlético Madrid, Saúl Ñíguez, to play the role of savior for the club.

Valladolid’s situation is similarly dire, if not worse. Since winning their opening match, they haven’t secured another victory and have managed just two goals across six matches. This paltry output makes them the lowest-scoring team in the league. Their defense was utterly humiliated in a 7-0 defeat against Barcelona, a result that rocketed their goals conceded tally to the top of the league. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Valladolid; they bounced back with an impressive defensive display, managing to keep a clean sheet against Real Sociedad in the following game.

For Valladolid, clean sheets are a necessity. So far this season, every point they’ve earned has come in matches where they’ve prevented their opponent from scoring. Conversely, when they concede, it tends to result in heavy defeats. For the fans, this has created an exciting but nerve-wracking dynamic, where the team either secures a shutout or faces a crushing loss.

Interestingly, just two seasons ago, it was a victory against Valladolid that secured Sevilla's top-flight survival, while Valladolid themselves were relegated. Now, both teams find themselves in a similar position once again, clinging to the edge of safety. With both sides still hovering above the relegation zone, they might not go all out for a win this time. A draw would likely suit both teams, with each content to play for marginal gains and conserve energy for future challenges.

Real Madrid’s Quest for Supremacy

Despite recent injuries and a hectic schedule, Real Madrid continues to show their fighting spirit, even as they chase Barcelona at the top of the table. The unpredictability of the first halves of their matches contrasts sharply with the second half’s goal-scoring bursts, but Madrid will need to solve their early-game struggles if they are to mount a serious title challenge.

As for Valladolid and Sevilla, both teams face uncertain futures. Their lackluster performances and shaky defenses have already put them in danger, and unless key players step up, their current position in La Liga is far from secure. The road ahead looks tough for both clubs, but with the right tactical adjustments, there’s still hope for improvement.