Xabi Alonso Weighs Two Tactical Tweaks Ahead of El Clasico Showdown
16 October 2025
Injury update and Clasico stakes
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's head coach, is weighing two tactical options to guide the team through the looming Clasico against Barcelona on October 26 at the Bernabéu.
The young Spanish defender Din Huisin, 20, is racing to recover from a leg muscle injury suffered on October 4 against Villarreal, a 3-1 win at the Bernabéu.
That injury has also kept him from the Spain squad in October, giving him a window to rebound before the Clasico.
AS reports that the setback has forced Din Huisin out of the provisional Spain squad, increasing the pressure on Madrid to manage his return carefully.
Madrid has sketched a two-week recovery as a target, but with ten days left until kickoff there is a cautious mood inside the club: healing is not enough, it must be 200 percent ready to play.
AS notes he will miss the upcoming match with Getafe and could miss Barcelona and Juventus if his recovery stalls.
The defender continues solo training, even using the international break to travel to Malaga, appearing in the stands wearing Madrid colors to cheer on his teammates.
Back at Valdebebas, Huisin trains in the gym under the supervision of the medical staff, with a heavy workload ahead before any chance of returning to group training.
Doubts about readiness for Barca and Juventus reflect the danger of re-injury in leg muscle problems; the medical team must balance caution with the Clasico impact.
The report also suggests Alonso is weighing two options: one, keep Raul Assensio with Militao in central defense; two, move Álvaro Carreras beside Militao, with Ferland Mendy stepping in at left-back.
The most likely scenario, according to AS, is that Huisin returns ready to partner Militao, but if not, Madrid have ready-made alternatives.
La Liga context and standings
A look at the La Liga landscape shows Madrid atop the table with 21 points from seven wins and one defeat, 19 goals scored and nine conceded, including five in a single heavy loss to Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona sits second with 19 points after a 1-4 loss to Sevilla before the international break, marking the first big stumble of their title defense, having previously collected six victories.
Villarreal occupy third on 16 points, followed by Real Betis on 15; Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, Elche, and Athletic Bilbao share positions five through nine with 13 points apiece.
Madrid's Clasico preparations remain fluid, with medical staff aiming for a long-term, sustainable return and Alonso keeping his powder dry.
Punchlines: 1) If Alonso’s plan were a goal, we’d already be cheering—unfortunately, plans are not goals, they’re just expensive training cones. 2) In football, as in stand-up, timing is everything; the joke is that injuries never come with a refund policy.
