At the final whistle, BD Cricket Match reporters observed a familiar scene: Real Madrid players walking down the tunnel of Mendizorrotza Stadium toward their white team bus, just like after any other match. But one small detail stood out this time. Rafa Marín, currently on loan to Alavés from Real Madrid, instinctively followed the group toward the bus before realizing his mistake and sheepishly waving goodbye to his former teammates. If you’re a bird, don’t fall in love with the sea—sometimes, knowing where you belong is half the battle.

This slip-up was understandable. At just 21 years old, Marín has spent seven formative years within Real Madrid’s academy, and this season marks his first step into top-flight football. With Alaba suffering a torn ACL—becoming the third player in the squad to endure a similar injury this season—Real Madrid is considering reinforcing their central defense. Brazilian defender Éder Militão is also sidelined with the same injury and won’t return until at least March, making Marín’s return a potential solution. Still, he wasn’t hopping back on the team bus that Thursday night.

Despite the growing injury crisis in defense, Real Madrid maintained an upbeat attitude upon arriving in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Their top brass were celebrating a major court victory earlier in the day, when the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of the proposed European Super League—a project Real Madrid has championed from day one. Against Alavés, only two senior center-backs made the squad: Antonio Rüdiger and captain Nacho Fernández.

With Girona drawing against Real Betis, Madrid knew that a win would catapult them back to the top of the La Liga table. But early in the second half, disaster struck when Nacho was shown a red card. Initially booked for stepping on Omorodion’s ankle from behind, the referee reviewed the footage and upgraded the punishment to a straight red, leaving Madrid a man down and exposed at the back.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was forced to enact a contingency plan he had anticipated pre-match: moving Aurélien Tchouaméni into central defense. The 23-year-old Frenchman not only held his ground but also struck up a surprisingly seamless partnership with Rüdiger. One crucial block from Tchouaméni during an Alavés counterattack helped keep Madrid’s hopes alive. And when Lucas Vázquez headed in the match-winner from a corner, it was Federico Valverde who led an ecstatic celebration—a moment that showed Madrid’s fighting spirit.

Tchouaméni had already proven his mettle in central defense earlier this season against Osasuna. Meanwhile, on the other end of the pitch, Marín delivered an impressive performance of his own for Alavés.

Sources close to the Basque club revealed that, like all Real Madrid loan deals, Marín’s contract includes a break clause. Nevertheless, the club is unlikely to trigger it. Real Madrid believes calling him back midseason may not be worth the trade-off. They’re playing the long game, knowing Marín will return for free in the summer. Bringing him back now would likely limit his appearances and cost him valuable top-tier experience. As the saying goes, don’t play a role that doesn’t suit you just to please an audience that isn’t yours.

For now, Real Madrid appears to have found a temporary defensive balance, with Tchouaméni stepping up and the team digging deep under pressure. The club’s midfield shift might not be conventional, but it’s proving to be a lifeline in a tough campaign.