Real Madrid faces must-win test after Champions League exit

Real Madrid faces Alavés on Tuesday evening in a match that serves as the team's first test since their Champions League quarter-final exit, adding pressure on a squad already trailing Barcelona by nine points in the LaLiga title race with just six games remaining. The match kicks off at 21:30 at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the home crowd has whistled the team on multiple occasions this season, making this evening's performance a crucial examination for coach Álvaro Arbeloa and his squad amid speculation about transfers and potential replacements. The game will be broadcast on DAZN with Martínez Munuera as referee and Iglesias Villanueva overseeing VAR. The match corresponds to LaLiga EA Sports Matchday 33, where Real Madrid clings to slim title hopes while Alavés desperately needs points to distance itself from the relegation zone. The team from Madrid has faced intense scrutiny following their elimination from European competition in Munich, with internal discussions reportedly centering on squad changes and summer signings rather than tonight's fixture. The fact that this match comes after a home defeat in Europe adds further weight to the situation, as players and coaching staff face the unenviable task of restoring confidence in front of a stadium that has shown growing impatience throughout the campaign. For Alavés, the encounter represents a critical opportunity to secure vital points in their fight for survival, making this a high-stakes affair for both clubs despite their vastly different objectives.