Real Madrid rip up the script at Mendizorrotza tonight. I can confirm the champions are prepared to start Gonzalo García in Jornada 16 at Alavés. The Castilla forward has trained with the senior group all week. The staff likes his energy, his pressing, and his timing in the box. This is a brave call on a cold night in Vitoria. It also marks a clear shift in how Madrid want to attack.
Breaking lineup picture
Madrid arrived in Vitoria with a tight rotation plan. December is heavy. The staff wants fresh legs and sharp minds. García gives both. Expect him to work close to Kylian Mbappé, who leads the line. It will look like a two-pronged punch at times, not a simple front three.
This is not a token debut. The message is clear. If you run, combine, and finish, you play. Training ground form has real weight right now.
- Key calls on the sheet: Gonzalo García in from the start. Mbappé central with freedom to drift. Bellingham linking midfield and attack. Fullbacks high to pin Alavés wide men.
Madrid are treating this match as a statement of depth. Youth and superstar quality, together, by design.
The new blend, Mbappés y Valdepeñas
Inside the dressing room, the phrase everyone is smiling about is simple. Mbappés y Valdepeñas. It captures the mix on the pitch. A global icon next to a forward from Valdepeñas who fought through Castilla. It is not just a catchy line. It shows a tactical idea.
Mbappé stretches lines and drags two defenders. García darts into the space that opens behind the near center back. The midfield then hits early. Quick, vertical, direct. When the ball goes wide, García crashes the near post. Mbappé hunts cutbacks and second balls. It is classic Madrid, but with new roles and fresher legs.
What Alavés will try to do
Mendizorrotza is tight. The crowd is on you in a good way. Alavés thrive in that noise. They will sit in two compact blocks and wait for mistakes. They love a turnover in midfield. They run hard on the break, and they are dangerous on set pieces.
Luis García Plaza has drilled shape and discipline into this group. Winger Luis Rioja attacks space early. Jon Guridi arrives late into the box. The first 20 minutes matter. If Madrid are sloppy, Alavés will punish them.
Watch the first Madrid goal kick patterns. If Alavés jump high, Madrid will look for Mbappé’s chest and García’s run off the flick.
Midfield choices and game control
For Madrid, balance is everything in this ground. Bellingham has the license to roam between the lines. A holding midfielder will sit and screen, keeping the distances short. If the fullbacks push, the nearest midfielder must cover the half space. That is where Alavés counters live.
Set pieces could decide it. Madrid’s delivery has been sharp this month. Look for near-post routines to free the back-post attacker. García is brave in traffic. Mbappé attacks the penalty spot zone. One clean header could tilt the match.
The wider stakes in LaLiga
This is not only about three points. It is about a title chase that rewards brave rotation. Using a young forward here protects legs for the run into winter. It builds trust in the bench. It sends a message to the academy. Perform, and you will play in real minutes, not just cup ties.
If Mbappé and García click, the ripple effect is huge. Defenses will have to pick a poison. Take away Mbappé’s space, and the kid gets chances at the near post. Collapse on the box, and Bellingham gets time at the edge. This is how a team adds layers in December, then cashes in by March.
Madrid’s staff want faster attacks with fewer touches in the final third. The García selection fits that target perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Gonzalo García actually starting at Alavés tonight?
A: Yes. The staff has prepared him to start, and he has trained with the starters all week.
Q: Where will Kylian Mbappé play in this setup?
A: He will start central with freedom. He can pull left or drop short, depending on Alavés’ line.
Q: What does Mbappés y Valdepeñas mean?
A: It is a dressing room nod to the blend of Mbappé’s star power and García’s roots in Valdepeñas. It signals a new attacking mix.
Q: How will Alavés try to stop Madrid?
A: Compact blocks, nasty set pieces, and fast counters into wide channels. They want a scrap, not a track meet.
Q: Why make this rotation in Jornada 16?
A: To manage December minutes and add pace up front. It also rewards form and builds depth for the title fight.
Madrid are not just chasing a win in Vitoria. They are shaping the way they will attack the rest of the season. If the blend hits, this night at Mendizorrotza will feel like a turning point. Youth and stardom can share a stage. Tonight, they plan to light it up.
