Title: Spanish Critique of Real Madrid's Alaba: A Recurring Conundrum
Wheels of criticism have been churning for Real Madrid's Austrian defender, David Alaba, following his less-than-stellar performance against Union Berlin. According to Spain's sports outlet, Mundo Deportivo, the veteran was a "central problem" amidst Madrid's recent 3-2 victory, a sentiment echoed by Marca due to Alaba's "terrible" backpass attempt, feeding the ball to Union Berlin's Kevin Volland in the opening half's injury time.
Alaba's doubts surfaced not only during that infamous moment but also elsewhere in the match. After 71 minutes, Carlo Ancelotti replaced the Austrian with Antonio Rüdiger. Mundo Deportivo sensed a decline in his performance, accusing Alaba of stumbling with mistakes atypical for a player of his caliber. Despite the mounting controversy, Alaba remained silent, deciding not to comment on his performance post-game.
However, the criticism did not hinder Alaba's relevance to Real Madrid, as the Austrian continued to earn a consistent spot on the club's website. The looming Champions League looms, and Alaba stands a chance to redeem himself.
Some skeptics have unconditionally stood by Alaba citing his unacceptable targeting, and his amazing capabilities. Meanwhile, Kevin Volland from Union Berlin thrived in the Bundesliga, participating in notable games against premier teams, fueling transfer speculations.
Despite a recurring leg injury, causing a two-to-three week layoff, Alaba remains determined to surmount this challenge and restore his form. Rumors of a potential transfer have been circulating with Spanish outlets hinting at a possible move after the transfer window opens. As the soccer season unfolds, Alaba's performance will reveal if he's managed to brush off these criticisms and regain his exceptional status as a world-class, versatile defender.
Sources:
Insight
Despite the recent backlash, the glaring issue revolves around Alaba's recurring lower-body injuries and their impact on Madrid's defense. With Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, and Éder Militão all sustaining injuries, Real Madrid has bereft of top-quality options in central defense, resulting in midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and youngster Raúl Asencio taking up these positions. With Alaba nursing a thigh injury, Madrid's key player was delayed in his recovery to avoid further complications. Carlo Ancelotti is working on a gradual plan to reintegrate Alaba, granting him limited minutes to ensure a smooth re-entry.
As the season progresses, the extraordinarily challenging task lies in restoring Alaba's superior performance and achieving a full recovery. Amidst the adventure to wiggle out of this dilemma, Alaba's commitment and the patience of the squad do not waver, encapsulating the remarkable resilience of the team.
