Alonso’s All-Star Madrid Set to Take on Getafe: Mbappé Needs to Shine
18 October 2025
Alonso Names Star-Studded Real Madrid Squad for Getafe Showdown
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has unveiled his squad for Sunday’s La Liga clash against Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, featuring Kylian Mbappé and Franco Mastantono, with Ferland Mendy out through injury.
According to reports, Mbappé could start, signaling the attack’s intent to be bold from the first whistle.
Mastantono has returned from Argentina after dealing with some muscular discomfort, adding fresh pace to Madrid’s forward options.
The injury list also includes Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Ceballos, Rudiger, and Din Huisen, which prompted Alonso to call on a handful of academy players to bolster the squad.
To cover the gaps, Alonso recalled a couple of young players, notably goalkeeper Sergio Mestri and midfielder Tiago, who trained with the first team in the build-up to the match.
The lineup blends a mix of senior stars and emerging talents. In goal, Courtois and Lunin remain, with Mestri stepping in if needed. The defensive trio features Militao, Alaba, and Álex Sisto? (Alvaro Carreras), with Fran Garcia providing width. In midfield, Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Chouaméni, Arda Guler, and Tiago offer a dynamic engine room. Up front, Vinícius Júnior, Endrick Felipe, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Ibrahim Diaz, and Mastantono provide firepower from all angles.
Alonso spoke at the press conference about Dani Ceballos’ injury setback, stressing the need for caution and confirming he will miss the Getafe game. He also explained that the squad assembled after a long international window reflects a clear plan: take each match as it comes and pursue progress across all competitions.
Discipline and daily rigor remain central, the coach emphasized, noting that the schedule demands top-level conditioning and focus. Regarding Raul Asensio, Alonso praised the youngster’s ability to anticipate plays, physicality in tackles, and growing maturity; he hinted Asensio could feature in a front three as he develops.
On Ferland Mendy’s return, Alonso called it encouraging but admitted it would take a few weeks to regain peak fitness, and his return would expand Madrid’s defensive flexibility. He also indicated Fran Garcia could operate as a winger or full-back, with Mendy delivering further options if needed. The possibility of using five at the back again remains open since Madrid have used it before during demanding phases.
Asked about the upcoming stretch, Alonso warned that every phase is the toughest until it ends and re-emphasized a singular focus on Getafe, praising the opponent’s coach for extracting the best from his players. He also reiterated that the team’s discipline and respect must guide them through a crowded calendar.
When discussing the Brazil camp, Alonso noted that Vinícius had been used as a false nine at times and that Militao’s performance remained a key asset for Madrid, with tactical tweaks still on the table for future use. Overall, Madrid’s plan remains to press aggressively, maximize talent across the squad, and keep pushing for success in every competition.
Punchline time: If Getafe parked the bus, Madrid just bought a traffic report and a souvenir brochure. Punchline 2: Alonso’s lineup is so star‑studded that even the bench needs sunglasses to handle the glare.
