El Clasico Showdown: Alonso Unloads a Star-Studded Madrid for the Classic

Lineup Highlights

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s coach, announced the squad for the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu, the tenth round of La Liga. The goalkeeper trio includes Courtois, Andriy Lunin, and Sergio Mistrі, while the defence features Carvajal, Militao, Arnold, Asensio, Alvaro Carrera, Fran García, Ferland Mendy, and Huysin. In midfield, Jude Bellingham, Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, and Dani Ceballos are slated to play. Up front, the attack line reads Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Ibrahim Díaz, and Massantontono. Alonso stressed that all players are available at 100% and ready for the match, emphasizing focus on what happens on the pitch.

“We’ll approach this with calm and a clear plan,” Alonso said at a press conference, noting the team’s strong cohesion and the importance of leveraging Bernabéu energy to propel the performance. The coach didn’t reveal the starting XI, opting instead to stress preparation and collective effort. The remarks came after a spirited exchange sparked by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who joked that Real Madrid “steals and complains,” a line Alonso brushed aside, saying the game will speak for itself and that readiness matters more than chatter.

Alonso added that Mbappé’s role remains pivotal and that Madrid can still improve as a unit. He highlighted the balance between defense and attack, insisting every player in the squad could start depending on tactical needs. The coach also praised the club’s supporters, calling the Clasico a special fixture that has long defined the rivalry and noting the intention to “feel the crowd’s electricity” at a big moment in their project this season.

“What matters is what we do on the pitch,” he reiterated, when asked about selections or substitutions. “We’re focused on the process, the daily work, and extracting the best from every training session as we prepare for a demanding challenge.”

As for tactical considerations, Alonso emphasized the team’s philosophy remains intact: attack with purpose, press as a unit, and maintain solidity defensively. He underlined that the squad has varied options to adapt to Barcelona’s approach, and that decisions about the lineup will hinge on tactical nuance and match-day conditions. The atmosphere around the press room remained measured yet anticipatory, a testament to the weight of the El Clasico in this new era for Real Madrid.

Punchlines aside, if football were a puzzle, Madrid’s pieces are lined up for a high-stakes solve. Sniper-level humor aside, this match could hinge on a few decisive moments where quality players convert chances and the crowd tempers its roar into a decisive push for victory. Punchline 1: If this lineup were a dessert, it would be a three-layer tiramisu—rich, bold, and with just enough bite to leave Barcelona wondering what hit them. Punchline 2: Madrid aren’t chasing a result; they’re drafting a legend, one pass at a time.