Alavés-Real Madrid: looking to close out the year on a high
Ancelotti's boys play matchday 18 at Mendizorroza (9:30pm CET).
Real Madrid bring the curtain down on 2023 with a visit to Mendizorroza to take on Alavés tonight on LaLiga matchday 18 (9:30pm CET). Our team will be hoping to extend their eleven-match unbeaten run in domestic competition and clinch a 14th win of the season.
A key aspect of the team's impressive form lies at the back. Ancelotti's boys have conceded just 11 goals in the league all season, their second-best defensive numbers at this stage of the competition, level with their efforts in 1971/72 and bettered only by the 1961/62 campaign (10).
“We want to keep the good momentum going and finish 2023 on a high note,” said Ancelotti in the pre-match press conference. The Italian's squad naturally includes Bellingham, LaLiga's leading marksman with 13 goals to his name. The English ace has hit 17 in all competitions so far. Alongside him are Rodrygo, who has hit a purple patch to race to 10 for the season, and Brahim, who scored a special solo goal in the last game against Villarreal.
Final game of 2023
Ancelotti's team see out a year that has brought them two titles: the Club World Cup and the Copa del Rey. The first game back in February, and the second in May. This season has started on a very strong footing, booking a place in the Champions League Round of 16 with a perfect Group Stage, and fighting with Girona for top spot in LaLiga. Tonight, all eyes on a victory to close out 2023 in style.