Real Madrid News
Dean Huijsen reacts after Real Madrid’s win over Alaves: ‘We have to fight in the league’
Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves last night helped the team reduce the gap with Barcelona to six points, although the Catalans will have a chance later tonight to restore their lead.
The reception for Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu was not a pleasant one, but Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. found the goals that mattered and put the side ahead.
Barring the final stage of the game where Alaves attacked with intensity, Real Madrid defended well on the night.
Of the four players at the back, Dean Huijsen featured as a standout performer.
Huijsen speaks
The Real Madrid defender opened up to the media after the game in a short interview, explaining the flow of the game, the result, and what it meant to the dressing room.
He began by praising the team for their performance, which ended their four-game winless streak.
“We started the game very well and then at times we went down a little. It can’t happen to us.”
“But we knew how to get the victory ahead and we are happy with the three points,” he added.
He then explained the danger of playing relegation-threatened teams at this stage in the season and how they can often be the most difficult teams to get past.
“These teams risk their lives and give one hundred per cent, and if not, two hundred per cent. We have to equal the desire.”
Finally, he urged the team to keep going in La Liga despite the massive gap with Barcelona, saying,
“We have to win all the games. We know it’s hard, but we have to fight in the league.”
Source: Real Madrid website
Real Madrid are back in action in La Liga tonight after the three-week international break as they take on Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Having lost their previous game against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid will be eager to get back to winning ways, especially with Barcelona on track to secure three more points and extending their lead at the top.
Ahead of kickoff at the Santiago Bernabeu later tonight, manager Jose Mourinho has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Villarreal.
The big headline is that captain Federico Valverde is fit enough to start in midfield after having successfully recovered from the Grade 3 ankle sprain he had sustained during the derby defeat three weeks ago.
The Uruguayan international partners with Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park, while Jude Bellingham continues as the attacking midfielder for the hosts.
Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr. slot in on the flanks, while Kylian Mbappe, having recovered from the minor injury he sustained during the international break, spearheads the attack.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras get the nod as the two full-backs flanking the centre-back pairing of Ibrahima Konate and Antonio Rudiger. Thibaut Courtois guards the Real Madrid goal.
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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 10, 2026
