Slow start for Real Madrid as Dani Carvajal's attempted pass down the right to Lucas Vazquez goes straight out of play.

Alaves caretaker boss Javi Cabello cheers on his side.

Image source, Reuters

We are under way in the Basque Country.

Alaves appointed a new manager, Gianni de Biasi, yesterday. The 61-year-old has managed a load of Serie A clubs and most recently Albania.

He is expected to watch today from the stands with caretaker Javi Cabello running the team. Probably best not to start your job on a thrashing, to be fair.

Luis Zubeldia replaced Southampton's Mauricio Pellegrino in the summer but was sacked after 92 days.

Real Madrid drop Gareth Bale to the bench. Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Toni Kroos are among their injury absentees.

A lot of the pre-match chat was about Zinedine Zidane's son, Enzo, coming up against Real Madrid today - and after all that hype, they haven't even named him in the squad.

Alaves: Pacheco, Vigaray, Maripan, Ely, Duarte, Torres, M Garcia, Burgui, Medran, I Gomez, Munir.

Real Madrid: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho, Casemiro, Ceballos, Isco, Vazquez, Ronaldo, Asensio.

Not many people saw this coming for Real Madrid. After winning La Liga and the Champions League last season, they were the favourites to win both again this campaign.

That's even before we mention that Barcelona changed managers and lost Neymar, and Atletico Madrid were not allowed to sign any players.

But two wins from their opening five La Liga games, including a last-second home defeat by Real Betis on Wednesday, and Madrid are already seven points behind leaders Barca.

A defeat at Alaves - who have lost all five games so far this season - and we could be entering crisis territory.

Image source, EPA