Madrid's Bold Rejig: Alonso rotates ahead of CL clash with Kairat Almaty

Madrid reshuffles for CL clash with Kairat Almaty

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's head coach, announced the squad for the Champions League clash with Kairat Almaty.

Madrid travel to Kazakhstan for the second group-stage game, seeking a fresh start after a tough result at the weekend.

The starting XI features changes from the Atletico Madrid match, with Fran Garcia, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos, and Franco Mastantuono starting.

Several big names sit on the bench, including Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and Eduardo Camavinga.

Alonso spoke at the press conference about potential changes, saying we will start with 11 Real Madrid players and treat Kairat as a serious test, a team making its Champions League debut and demanding a high level from the first whistle.

In preparation for the match, the coach stressed the need to play well, press well, defend well, and attack with purpose against a well-organized opponent.

He also noted that Kairat can vary their attacking options and will compete with bite, so Madrid must respect them from the outset.

The Real Madrid starting XI is as follows: Courtois in goal; the back four: Fran Garcia, David Alaba, Din Huysen, and Raul Asensio; midfield trio: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, and Arda Güler; and the attacking trio: Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Franco Mastantuono.

Injuries and suspensions loom: Militao is ruled out after his injury against Atletico Madrid, and Dani Carvajal has also been ruled out today. Even if Carvajal were fit, he would miss today’s game due to a two-match ban issued by UEFA after the Marseille clash. He will also miss the upcoming Juventus match on October 22 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Madrid head into the match hoping to mend nerves after a heavy 5-2 defeat to Atletico, their first La Liga loss under Alonso after six straight wins to start the campaign.

According to Soccer Stats, Atletico Madrid has not lost to Real Madrid in six straight league meetings, matching their longest such run against their city rival.

This remains Atletico's biggest league win over Real Madrid since a 4-0 victory in 2015.

Alonso took the helm at Real Madrid at the end of last season, arriving from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who moved to the Brazil national team.

Alonso began his Madrid tenure at the Club World Cup, where the team exited in the semi-finals after a heavy 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

In the Champions League, Madrid bowed out last season in the quarterfinals after defeats to Arsenal over two legs. Paris Saint-Germain lifted the trophy in the latest edition, defeating Inter 5-0 in the final. Madrid hold the record with 15 European Cup/Champions League titles, the last conquest coming in 2024 with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Madrid opened this season's CL with a 2-1 victory over Marseille, and the group also includes Monaco, Kairat Almaty, Olympiacos, Benfica, Juventus, Manchester City, and Liverpool.

Madrid will look to begin the group stage with a win and set a positive tone for the remainder of the campaign.

Punchline time: If rotation is an art, Alonso just opened a gallery—everybody gets a canvas, and the ball is the paint.

Punchline two: Madrid’s bench looks like a red carpet—so many stars, the trophy might need a bigger spotlight.