Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is fit and available for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Alavés, as the Spanish giants look to halt a worrying run of form.

Mbappé sat out Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City, a result that left Madrid with only two wins from their last eight matches and intensified pressure on Alonso.

“We’ve got Kylian back, he’s ready to play, and tomorrow we’ll decide whether he starts,” Alonso said on Saturday. “That’s obviously good news.”

Madrid head to Vitoria severely depleted, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga all sidelined through injury. Fran García, Álvaro Carreras and Endrick are suspended, while defender Dean Huijsen is expected to return and could feature in a match that may prove decisive for Alonso’s future.

“Despite the players we’ve got out, we still have a strong squad and a strong team,” Alonso insisted.

Real Madrid currently sit four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, but Alonso believes the current adversity could ultimately strengthen his side.

“We are going through difficulties, but we can grow from them,” he said. “If we get through these tough moments and change the dynamic, maybe in a few weeks we’ll look back and say it was hard, but it made us stronger.”