Alonso's Headache: Real Madrid's Defensive Dilemma Ahead of the Saudi Super Cup Clasico
9 January 2026
Injury concerns shape Real Madrid's setup
Xabi Alonso faces a tactical headache ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The stakes are high and the rosters are in flux as fitness questions complicate selection in defense.
The clash will be broadcast exclusively through the Eighta app in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the commercial edge of the matchup and the modern reality of elite football distribution.
AS reports that Alonso must pick his central defense without Antonio Rudiger and with doubts over Raúl Asensio's readiness. The decision is complicated by the lingering pain that has sidelined key teammates ahead of this high-profile date with Barca.
Asensio and Rudiger were subbed off in the semi-final against Atletico Madrid due to muscular complaints, intensifying the manager's headache about whom to trust in the heart of defense.
Alonso could turn to Aurélien Tchouaméni and Álvaro Carerras at center-back, with Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy covering the flanks. It’s a bold shift that would reshape Madrid's typical balance for a cup final against a dangerous Barcelona attack.
Asensio is racing to be fit for the final, but muscular pains raise doubts about his ability to lead Madrid's forward line against Barcelona, arguably the strongest attack in La Liga this season.
Din Housen is noted as available with the squad but has not played since the year began, adding another layer of doubt about readiness for such a demanding showcase.
AS also states that Austrian David Alaba remains outside Alonso's immediate plans, marking the endgame of his Madrid chapter as his contract nears its close.
The piece suggests Alonso could rely on a Tchouaméni-Carerras pairing at center-back, but such a choice would be a sacrifice with potential consequences for midfield control and defensive solidity this season.
Using Tchouaméni in defense would lessen his midfield impact, and Carerras has not always kept clean sheets when deployed as a center-back, a risk Madrid must weigh as they chase silverware against Barcelona.
Madrid is pushing forward with promotional blocks touting the Eighta app as the team steels itself for a high-octane final against their archrivals.
Punchline 1: If Alonso sorts the defense, the only thing slipping will be the officials' coffee—and even that won’t survive the adrenaline of a Clasico final. Sniper-grade precision, kitchen-table tactics, all in one match.
Punchline 2: If the backline holds, we’ll finally hear the ball question its own direction and respond with a polite, “my bad, I found the back of the net.”
