Patchwork Solutions for a Must-Win Night
There is no comfort, no safety net, and no margin for error for Real Madrid heading into tomorrow’s match against Alavés. With the title race offering little forgiveness and the squad stretched to its absolute limit, Xabi Alonso is forced into a night of improvisation. Injuries and suspensions have stripped Madrid of virtually every natural defender, turning what should be a routine must-win into a test of adaptability.
A Defensive Emergency
The absences are severe. Álvaro Carreras and Fran García are suspended. Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Eduardo Camavinga are all injured. Endrick is also unavailable due to suspension. In practical terms, Real Madrid are without every natural full-back and two first-choice center-backs.
That leaves Alonso with no choice but to improvise — and possibly rush players back sooner than ideal.
Antonio Rüdiger, despite not being fully match fit, has been included in the squad and may be forced to start simply due to necessity. Dean Huijsen also returns to the list after his absence, giving Madrid another emergency option in central defense.
The most straightforward solution — and perhaps the least disruptive overall — would see Fede Valverde at right-back, a role he has filled before, with Raúl Asencio and Rüdiger as the center-back pairing. On the left, Valdepeñas, called up from Castilla, could be handed a baptism of fire in his senior debut as he can play both center-back and left-back.
If Alonso decides Rüdiger isn’t ready, the domino effect becomes unavoidable.
One alternative is to shift Aurélien Tchouaméni into central defense, partnering Huijsen, with Asencio at right-back and Valverde as a makeshift left-back — an extreme but not unthinkable solution given the circumstances.
Another possibility keeps Valverde on the right while pairing Tchouaméni and Asencio centrally, with Huijsen on the left.
None of these options are ideal. All of them weaken Madrid either in midfield or in defensive chemistry — or both.
Midfield: Creativity Over Control
With Tchouaméni and Valverde likely needed in defense, Madrid’s midfield will lean heavily toward creativity rather than physical control.
The expected trio is:
- Dani Ceballos
- Arda Güler
- Jude Bellingham
It’s a technically gifted midfield capable of dominating possession and breaking lines, but it places extra responsibility on Bellingham to provide balance and defensive coverage.
Attack
Kylian Mbappé has been named in the squad despite fitness doubts, and all signs point to him starting. In a must-win game, Madrid simply cannot afford to leave that level of firepower on the bench.
Up front, the likely front three:
- Rodrygo
- Mbappé
- Vinícius Jr.
If Mbappé suffers a late setback, Gonzalo García is the most probable replacement to lead the line, with Rodrygo and Vinícius flanking him.
Predicted XI (Most Likely)
Courtois
Valverde – Asencio – Tchouameni – Huijsen
Ceballos – Güler – Bellingham
Rodrygo – Mbappé – Vinícius
This will not be a match defined by structure or continuity — Real Madrid simply do not have the personnel for that right now. Instead, it will hinge on mentality, game management, and whether the attacking stars can compensate for a defense held together by emergency solutions.
Category: General Sports
