Madrid's desperate bid to save season begins against alavés

With their Champions League hopes all but extinguished, Real Madrid now face a daunting task to salvage their domestic campaign. After four consecutive league matches without a win, the pressure is mounting on coach Álvaro Arbeloa to inspire a turnaround.

Tough road ahead for los blancos

Arbeloa's men sit nine points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, with just seven games remaining. Their first test comes on Tuesday against Alavés at the Bernabéu, where the stakes have never been higher.

A win would provide a much-needed boost and set the stage for the upcoming Clásico against Barça, scheduled for the final week of the season. However, the Madrid players must first overcome their own mental block and regain the faith of their fans.

'I've always put the club and my players before myself,' Arbeloa said in a rare public statement. 'We need to win the next seven games, and that's our only focus right now.' With pride and reputation hanging in the balance, Madrid can ill afford another defeat.