Real Madrid is eagerly anticipating the return of David Alaba, with hopes he will be fit to play against Las Palmas on January 19 at the Santiago Bernabeu, according to recent reports from MARCA. The Austrian defender, sidelined for over a year due to injury, is making significant strides in his recovery. He has been training with the team and is expected to be fully integrated by December 30 when they return from their Christmas break. If everything goes according to plan, Alaba should be ready for selection after the Spanish Super Cup, with his first match post-tournament scheduled for January 19 against Las Palmas.
A look back reveals Alaba’s injury occurred on December 17, 2023, during a match against Villarreal. His long layoff placed him among notable teammates like Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, who suffered similar cruciate ligament injuries back in August. Their absences prompted coach Carlo Ancelotti to adapt, leading to the emergence of new defensive pairings, namely Antonio Rudiger and Nacho. Together, they have played pivotal roles, contributing significantly to both La Liga title and Champions League successes, showcasing their worth particularly during the second leg against Bayern Munich.
With Alaba's return, Ancelotti anticipates bolstered defensive options. His presence will offer flexibility, allowing for more effective rotation among defenders, especially following Militao's recent injury. Amid Alaba and Militao’s absences, Ancelotti has had to rely on homegrown talent Raul Asehncio to partner with Rudiger. Recently, Aurelien Tchouameni, normally deployed as a defensive midfielder, has even been filling the gap left in central defense. Alaba's impending return promises to bring much-needed depth and strategy to the backline.
The mood around Real Madrid has been uplifted, especially for Vinicius Junior, who recently received the FIFA ‘The BEST’ award. This recognition is particularly poignant as it follows his snub from the Ballon d'Or, which saw Rodri receive the trophy instead. Vinicius’ accolades marked a moment of both validation and celebration, indicating strong support from peers, as reflected by his impressive 617 votes against Rodri’s 373 during the award selection.
Real Madrid, along with Vinicius, is now prepared to disregard the Ballon d'Or. Together, they aim to forget the prize, viewing it as neglecting Vinicius’ significant contributions. They have collectively decided not to engage with the award, declaring it nonexistent. Vinicius’ focus has now turned to his recognition at FIFA, emphasizing the dedication and hard work behind his achievement.
Meanwhile, FIFA capitalized on Vinicius’ triumph by transitioning the Intercontinental Cup gala from mere telematic presentations to grand celebrations, which featured dinners and spotlighted the ‘The Best’ award. This shift highlights the contrasting recognition between the awards now associated with UEFA and FIFA. This was not only historic for Vinicius but also reinforced the relationship between Real Madrid and FIFA, culminating with photo opportunities alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
On December 22, 2024, Espanyol faced Las Palmas, concluding the year on a bitter note, suffering another defeat. Despite showing improvements under coach Manolo González, the team fell to Las Palmas 1-0, unable to match the 16 points amassed by Getafe, who are currently outside of the relegation zone. This result maintained Espanyol’s position within the relegation zone for at least another week, placing Gonzalez’s future at the helm under scrutiny.
The match against Las Palmas highlighted Espanyol's struggle, even though they displayed signs of improvement. The players managed only two shots on target throughout the match, which reminded fans why they occupied the second-worst position for this statistic across the top five European leagues. With opportunities missed, they failed to capitalize on any chances, with Puado squandering a clear opportunity fed by Roca, delivering a weak shot. Cillessen, the Las Palmas goalkeeper, was largely unchallenged.
Las Palmas' only shot on target converted to goal occurred following a free-kick taken by Sandro, putting Espanyol on the back foot. After taking the lead, Las Palmas nearly doubled their advantage shortly after due to poorly executed clearance attempts by Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Espanyol’s resilience wavered as they struggled to answer back after falling behind. The blanquiazules’ attack fizzled, with the most substantial opportunity resulting from Edu Expósito’s delivery, which sadly went unutilized. The sole silver lining for Espanyol was the return of midfielder Edu Expósito, who marked his comeback nearly one year after suffering a severe knee injury.
Looking forward, Espanyol’s survival depends largely on the ineffectiveness of their rivals. They begin 2025 with two must-win home matches against Leganés and Valladolid. Yet, hope for improvement is dim, as their dire financial challenges inhibit acquiring much-needed reinforcements during the winter window. With only one goal from their last four matches, doubts about Gonzalez’s continued tenure linger, even as the appreciation for the challenges he faces grows.
Adding to the transfer news, Burnley and Blackburn are reportedly competing to bring Oli McBurnie back from Las Palmas. Both clubs wish to secure him on loan. The 28-year-old striker made his switch to Las Palmas from Sheffield United in the summer and has completed 16 appearances, managing two goals and three assists. With prior clubs including Leeds, Bradford, and Swansea, McBurnie’s experience could provide support for either club seeking to strengthen their attacking options.
Burnley has also shown interest in former West Ham player Said Benrahma, who has been struggling for playtime at Lyon. With both McBurnie and potential acquisitions being considered, the January transfer window promises to be eventful for many clubs.
