Adaptation time?
David Alaba does not know.
As soon as he arrived at Real Madrid last summer, his association with Eder Militao worked wonders in central defense, winning three trophies: Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, Champions League.
Something to forget, or almost, the simultaneous departures of icons Raphaël Varane (at Manchester United) and Sergio Ramos (at Paris SG).
When paired with his Brazilian sidekick, Real have only been behind on the scoreboard 12% of playing time this season.
And Alaba, 30 years old on June 24, honored the N.4 of Sergio Ramos which he inherited, with three goals, four assists and a penalty caused, imitating the offensive contribution of his illustrious predecessor.
Taulier on the field and in the locker room, the Austrian has taken on a leadership role within the Madrid workforce, yet already full of stars, and has taken an active part in the epic of the "White House" until at the 14th coronation in C1 obtained at the Stade de France, on May 28.
plastic chair
With his celebration remembered during the round of 16 second leg of C1 against PSG, a plastic chair brandished in the air, Alaba has even become a viral symbol of the incredible reversals of the situation achieved by Real in its last European campaign.
Austrian defender of Real Madrid David Alaba after a goal against Osasuna in La Liga, April 20, 2022 in Pamplona ANDER GILLENEA AFP / Archives
Free party from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021, Alaba is now giving Bavarian leaders headaches.
In Bild, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge apologized deeply: "I very much regret David's departure. I apologize for that. He was the boss of the defense and he had an incredible season under (Hansi ) Flick when we won the Champions League in Lisbon. His absence is very noticeable at Bayern. It's something I'm really sorry about," said the Bayern legend and former chairman of the club's board.
In Germany, Alaba crossed paths with Benjamin Pavard, the defender of the Blues who dubbed him at a press conference on June 1: "When I arrived at Bayern Munich, he immediately put me at the disposal. comfortable. He was a manager on and off the pitch. His career does not surprise me, because he is a very great professional. In addition, he has talent, he can play in several positions, he is still performing well. I was very sad when he left because it left us empty in the locker room", regretted Pavard, who sent a message to his former team-mate after the title in C1.
From Coman to Benzema
With Austria, Alaba (93 caps, 14 goals) gave up on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (November 21 - December 18), after the play-off match lost 2-1 on March 24 against Wales Gareth Bale.
David Alaba congratulated by Karim Benzema after a goal for Real Madrid against Osasuna, April 20, 2022 in Pamplona ANDER GILLENEA AFP
But under new coach Ralf Rangnick, "Das Team" now has its head turned towards the League of Nations.
And after the nice inaugural success in Croatia (3-0) and the short loss against Denmark (2-1), David Alaba came to the defense of the new coach: "He is very good, he has a very clear plan and that works on the pitch. He wants us not to let the opponents breathe. I've known Ralf since I was 18 and he's a world-class coach," Alaba said.
In the left-back position, the one where he had exploded at Bayern and the one he could find next season at Real at the expense of Ferland Mendy, after the arrival of Antonio Rüdiger in central defense, Alaba could face Friday against his teammate Karim Benzema or his former teammate Kingsley Coman.
© 2022 AFP