Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal on Saturday has seen them draw level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The Catalans can re-establish their three-point lead on Sunday afternoon when they make the trip to Alaves for their MD9 fixture.
Official: Szczęsny has been registered in La Liga. pic.twitter.com/9WTI5PeYC0
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For head coach Hansi Flick, it will be a fairly simple turnaround from Tuesday’s victory over Young Boys. Sport say that an unchanged line-up will be fielded against Alaves, meaning that there is still no route into the starting XI for Ansu Fati, nor the returning Frenkie de Jong.
Alaves are set to make multiple changes from the side that lost to Getafe last weekend. Manu Sanchez and Santiago Mourino are set for a return in defence, while former Real Madrid midfielder and veteran striker Kike Garcia also among those in line for a recall to the starting line-up.
Mendizorroza is a very tough place to go, and Barcelona will not have it easy. They will be keen not to make the same mistake as they did against Osasuna last weekend, although Alaves will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds.