Alonso Unveils Real Madrid’s European XI Amid Injury Storm

Real Madrid’s European lineup revealed as injuries threaten the CL bid

Spanish coach Xabi Alonso has named Real Madrid’s travel squad to Kazakhstan for a Champions League clash with Kairat Almaty, signaling how the squad will cope with several injuries and rotation needs ahead of a busy schedule.

Madrid previously opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Mbappé converting a penalty and Dani Carvajal adding a second. Marseille’s lone goal arrived from Timothy Weah, underscoring the challenge Madrid faced to secure three points at home.

Injuries loomed over the squad as Militao missed out following a knock sustained in the derby against Atlético Madrid, while Dani Carvajal reported an injury today. Real Madrid issued a medical update confirming Carvajal’s condition would be reassessed after examinations to determine the extent and duration of the problem.

Marca reported that recovery could stretch to roughly four weeks, which would rule Carvajal out of the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona on October 26. Alonso’s move to replace Carvajal emerged in the 59th minute of the derby, when he introduced Eduardo Camavinga, sending the Spaniard to the locker room perhaps frustrated by the team’s inability to stamp control on the match.

Post-diagnosis, Carvajal’s calf muscle injury implies Alonso will be without one of his core defenders for a month, compounding the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold due to a separate issue and forcing the coach to seek alternatives on the right side of defense.

Real Madrid’s official squad list included:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Javier Navarro.

Defence: David Alaba, Raúl de Tomas (Asensio), Álvaro Carreño, Fran García, Din Hoisén, David Jiménez.

Midfield: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos.

Attack: Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo García, Ibrahim Díaz, Franco Mastantuono.

Earlier, Atlético Madrid handed Real Madrid a 5-2 defeat at the Metropolitano, a result that ended Madrid’s perfect start to La Liga this season and pushed Atlético to fourth with 12 points, while Madrid sat atop the table with 18 after six wins in eight games of a competitive campaign.

Alonso’s appointment came after last season’s departure of Carlo Ancelotti; he joined from Bayer Leverkusen and began his Madrid tenure with the new Club World Cup format, where Madrid were eliminated in the semifinals by Paris Saint‑Germain. The frustration from the derby loss adds weight to upcoming league fixtures, with Barcelona hovering to seize the top spot if Madrid slip again at home to Real Sociedad or elsewhere. In Europe, Madrid were knocked out last season in the Round of 8 by Arsenal, while PSG beat Inter in the final to claim the trophy. Real Madrid still hold a record 15 European Cup/Champions League titles, with their last triumph coming in 2024 against Borussia Dortmund.

Looking ahead, Madrid are grouped with Marseille, Monaco, Kairat Almaty, Olympiakos, Benfica, Juventus, Manchester City and Liverpool—an arduous journey that will test Alonso’s depth and tactical resolve as the calendar grows tighter.

Punchline time: If Alonso’s plan were a spreadsheet, the cells would be filled with goals, not groans. And if the defenders keep getting injuries, Madrid might start charging admission to the press room just to see who actually wears the right-back shirt. Punchline two: at this rate, the transfer market will be less about signings and more about finding a right-back who can read the instruction manual for offside traps without needing a nap morning coffee.