David Alaba and Real Madrid set for defensive test against Barcelona firepower in Clasico

There is no better way to make a lasting favourable impression on the supporters of either of Spain’s giant clubs than to score in your first Real Madrid versus Barcelona clasico. Better still if you make it a spectacular strike.

You make yourself even more popular if the goal sets up victory. Add another layer of praise if the goal is a break from the usual routine, like a defender pushing against his normal boundaries.

That was David Alaba, beginning a swift counter-attack with a confident pass just in front the Madrid penalty area he was defending at Camp Nou last October, and finishing the move by tearing up the pitch, receiving the ball back just outside the Barcelona penalty box and sweeping a left-footed drive past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

That put Madrid 1-0 up in a clasico they ended up winning 2-1. It put Alaba’s wide repertoire of skills on display to madridistas still learning about the Austrian, two months into a new chapter of his career.

Alaba last summer joined Madrid from Bayern Munich, where, after 12 years attached to the serial German champions, he had let his contract run down so he could move without a transfer fee and give himself a choice of destination.

There was no shortage of potential suitors. Very few elite clubs would truly say their squads could not make use of a footballer who commands the positions of left-back, centre-back and creative midfielder, the latter role being one he has filled with distinction for the Austria national team he captains.

Once Madrid made it clear they wanted Alaba, principally as a central defender, they showed how vital they imagined he would be. The club were willing to say goodbye to their iconic, goalscoring central defender and skipper, Sergio Ramos, 35, on