The Nightmares Before Clasico: Alonso’s Real Madrid Faces a Right-Back Crisis as Injuries Mount

Injury storm ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid’s long-standing headache returns as Xabi Alonso, the club’s upcoming head coach, braces for the Clasico against Barcelona on October 26. A wave of injuries threatens to derail the squad at a moment when depth is most needed, leaving the right-back slot dangerously thin and forcing conservative planning from the bench. The Clasico looms large, and every gap looks like a doorway to trouble, yet the show must go on.

The Blancos have been hit by a double blow at right-back: Dani Carvajal’s muscular injury and the earlier setback for Trent Alexander-Arnold, the club’s recent signing. The twin absence compresses the choices available to Alonso and puts extra pressure on the coaching staff to improvise without their most trusted players in the position.

These backline concerns place a heavy burden on Chabi Alonso, who may need temporary solutions like Raúl Asensio or Federico Valverde, both of whom have shown willingness to adapt in flexible roles. The question now is whether they can replicate the steadiness required for a high-stakes clash against a Barcelona side chasing momentum this season.

Carvajal is facing a muscular injury picked up in the Madrid derby with Atlético Madrid, with reports suggesting a four-week layoff at minimum. The probable absence of the club captain in the Clasico would be a considerable loss for Real Madrid, one that compounds the team’s struggle to field its best backline in a month packed with crucial fixtures.

In parallel, a fresh blow arises as Trent Alexander-Arnold, the marquee new addition, has also been sidelined for an extended spell after picking up an injury early in the Champions League match against Olympique de Marseille. The club’s medical bulletin confirmed a hamstring hamartism that will keep him out for six to eight weeks, delivering another heavy blow to Alonso’s plans for the right flank.

With both specialists out, Real Madrid faces a challenging countdown to leadership on the defensive line and a tactical test for Alonso, who must decide whether to trust youth, convert flexibility from midfield, or seek an external stopgap for the near term.

Two fixes on the horizon

The first option is Raúl Asensio, a 22-year-old defender rising from the academy who has the pace and physicality to fill in as an emergency right-back. In the 5-0 win over the Kazakh side at Almaty in Europe, Asensio showed the type of energy that makes him an appealing temporary option for the job.

The alternative is Federico Valverde, the versatile Uruguayan who has filled multiple roles for the team in the past and has publicly stated his willingness to step into unfamiliar spots for the good of the squad. He has repeatedly stressed that he is available whenever needed and proud to wear the Real Madrid shirt, reinforcing his readiness to contribute wherever the coach asks him to play.

Valverde has acknowledged that while he began the World Cup campaign well, adapting to a new role in the defense requires time and consistency. He has pledged to lead by example, stay focused, and give his best in every match, whether at right-back or elsewhere, insisting that the club’s success comes first and his personal comfort second.

He also emphasized that his long-standing midfield background has helped him adjust, and that playing as a full-back can yield surprising benefits when the team needs it most. He remains ready to be deployed again if the manager calls, proving that leadership is as much about adaptability as about formal positions.

Impact extended

The implications of this crisis stretch beyond the Clasico, as October features a congested calendar with La Liga fixtures against Villarreal and Getafe, and a Champions League tie with Juventus, before the Clasico returns to the fore in domestic competition. The absence of two seasoned right-backs makes Alonso’s task harder, and no replacement will mirror Carvajal or Arnold’s level of consistency at this stage. The challenge is clear: reorganize the defense with limited resources while staying competitive across competitions.

As Madrid navigates this patch without its usual right-back pillars, Alonso faces a tactical test that could define early-season balance. The road ahead looks tight, and every decision will be watched closely by fans hoping to see the club maintain top form through a hectic spell.

Punchline time: If Alonso can pull this off, he’ll deserve a statue at the training ground, preferably holding a copy of the tactical board that doubles as a snack tray. Punchline two: Madrid’s backline may wobble, but at least the jokes about the depth chart are in midseason form—and yes, the jokes are on the coach, not the players, this time around.