Xabi Alonso says Kylian Mbappe is “hungry” for an additional massive yr with Actual Madrid, as he appears to be like to proceed his positive begin to the season in opposition to Actual Sociedad on Saturday.
Mbappe is Madrid’s prime scorer in LaLiga this season, having scored in two of their three video games to this point.
Los Blancos sit prime of the pile as one in all two groups, together with Athletic Bilbao, with an ideal file, and so they head to the Anoeta with hopes of sustaining their successful streak.
Mbappe, who scored twice for France in the course of the worldwide break to surpass Thierry Henry and go second outright of their all-time objective charts, scored 43 targets for Madrid in all competitions throughout his debut season and is anticipated to play a key position as soon as once more this time period.
“Kylian is in an important place, each in a footballing sense and personally,” Alonso stated.
“I feel, following his first season in Madrid, he’s hungry for an additional yr. You see how he’s relishing his position every day, and he’s not the one one.
“That duty needs to be shared if we need to forge that robust base within the dressing room, on which to construct to the place we need to get to.
“We’ve solely performed three video games, and we’ve got to step by step lay the foundations for a way we need to compete, how we need to work day-by-day, and to maintain growing as a staff.
“Kylian is a key a part of that. He was decisive for France once more, and we want him.”
@XabiAlonso pic.twitter.com/ashTkTUV8n
— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 11, 2025
La Actual, in the meantime, are sixteenth in LaLiga after a disappointing begin to the season and are nonetheless looking for their first win. They’ve recorded two attracts and a loss to this point.
Alonso’s aspect are set to embark on a busy seven-game run earlier than the subsequent worldwide break, with their Champions League marketing campaign starting on Tuesday, whereas additionally they face a Madrid derby in that interval.
Requested if this was his first actual take a look at as Madrid coach, Alonso responded: “I don’t assume so. We all know each recreation is of important significance, each in LaLiga and the Champions League.
“They’re all factors that would make a distinction in the long term, and that’s why we’ve got to handle each recreation with the significance it deserves, understanding the way to strategy it. That determines our preparations; each recreation is decisive.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Actual Sociedad – Mikel Oyarzabal
Oyarzabal has scored three targets in 20 appearances in opposition to Madrid in all competitions, however none on the Anoeta (in 9 matches).
Solely in opposition to Sevilla (10) has the La Actual participant performed extra dwelling video games with out scoring in his total profession.
Actual Madrid – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has scored three targets in two LaLiga matches in opposition to La Actual, greater than in opposition to every other opponent within the competitors (he has additionally scored three in opposition to Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Leganes and Actual Valladolid).
The Frenchman already has three targets this season, following up his opening-day winner in opposition to Osasuna, with a brace in opposition to Actual Oviedo.
MATCH PREDICTION: REAL MADRID WIN
Actual Madrid have gained 12 of the 21 matches they’ve performed on the Anoeta in opposition to La Actual in LaLiga within the twenty first century (D3 L6), changing into the away staff with essentially the most wins on the San Sebastian venue in that span.
They’ve additionally saved a clear sheet of their final three LaLiga matches in opposition to La Actual (W3) and will accomplish that in 4 consecutive matches in opposition to them for the second time of their historical past, after a run of 4 clear sheets between 1970 and 1971 (W3 D1).
La Actual have, in truth, misplaced their final 4 LaLiga matches in opposition to Madrid, failing to attain within the final three. They’ve by no means misplaced 4 consecutive matches with out scoring in opposition to Los Blancos within the historical past of the competitors.
Sergio Francisco’s aspect have solely picked up two factors in LaLiga 2025-26 (D2 L1), their worst begin after their first three video games of a season within the competitors since 2015-16 beneath David Moyes (D2 L1).
And so they face a troublesome take a look at to finish that run, as Madrid have gained their final six LaLiga matches, protecting a clear sheet in 4 of their final 5 (one objective conceded), their greatest run of consecutive victories within the competitors since Could 2024 (9).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Actual Sociedad – 19.9%
Draw – 23.3%
Actual Madrid – 56.8%
