Ancelotti Lauds Alaba’s Return, Eyes Starting Role Ahead of February Matches
Real Madrid’s commanding 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid has further cemented their position at the top of La Liga, now holding a seven-point lead over third-place Barcelona.
Amidst the win, one of the standout stories is David Alaba’s remarkable recovery from a knee injury, which has allowed him to regain form quickly and impress in his early appearances since returning.
Carlo Ancelotti has spoken highly of Alaba’s comeback, emphasizing that, as long as he stays injury-free, his return is a huge boost for the team. Ancelotti regards Alaba as one of the “best defenders in the world,” with a Relivo report revealing that the club feels the Austrian international has recovered faster than Éder Militão.
The coach stated that Alaba’s role moving forward will largely depend on his physical condition, and if he feels up to it, he’ll be slotted into the starting lineup.
While Alaba hasn’t been seen aggressively challenging for the ball just yet, his recent performances have been solid, with his fitness improving steadily. As Alaba continues to build back his match sharpness, Ancelotti is expected to gradually increase his minutes on the pitch.
Even though Real Madrid did not make any of the transfers Ancelotti had hoped for in the winter window, Alaba’s return offers a significant defensive reinforcement. The coach now has a wealth of strong options, including Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Marco Asensio, and Aurélien Tchouaméni, all capable of contributing heavily in defense.
Beyond his defensive reliability, Alaba’s expertise in set pieces—especially free kicks and corners—gives the team an added advantage, particularly with the departure of Toni Kroos.
His powerful shot and accuracy in dead-ball situations are expected to make a noticeable impact in upcoming games.
Currently in peak physical condition after a rigorous rehab process, Alaba’s knee injury is fully healed. However, Real Madrid will continue to closely monitor his progress to ensure there are no setbacks as he fully reintegrates into the squad.
