- by Masivuye Mzimkhulu
- on 28 Sep, 2025
Squad breakdown for the Madrid derby
Real Madrid’s coach Xabi Alonso released his team sheet for the Round 7 LaLiga clash against city rivals Atlético Madrid. The match, set for the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, is the first true test of Alonso’s unbeaten run at the helm.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is back in the net, offering the kind of safety Madrid has missed while he was on the bench. In defence, the back four reads Carvajal at right‑back, Militão and Dean Huijsen forming the central partnership, with Álvaro Carreras covering left‑back duties after Ferland Mendy’s fitness woes forced him out.
The midfield engine is anchored by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who provides the shield in front of the defence, while Federico Valverde pushes forward with his trademark energy. Ahead of the striker, Alonso has opted for a fluid attacking trio – Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior – supporting Kylian Mbappé, who tops the LaLiga scoring chart with seven goals.
Injuries have shaped the selection. German centre‑back Antonio Rüdiger remains sidelined with a lingering issue, and English newcomer Trent Alexander‑Arnold will miss his expected debut after a muscle strain. Their absences give Carreras a chance to prove he can handle the demands of a high‑profile derby.
Why the lineup matters and what’s at stake
Alonso’s choices reflect a blend of experience and fresh talent. Güler, only 19, brings a different creative spark, while Bellingham and Vinícius offer proven goalscoring threats. This mix shows Alonso is not just trying to ride the current form but also planting seeds for the season’s second half.
Los Blancos have been lethal in attack, netting 12 goals in the last five fixtures and keeping a perfect record in the league under Alonso. Yet Atlético Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, have the best defensive numbers in the competition – three clean sheets and a reputation for grinding out results.
The tactical duel promises fireworks. Simeone’s side will likely sit deep, looking to exploit any gaps left by Carreras on the flank and test Courtois with set‑piece pressure. Alonso, on the other hand, appears set to press high, using the speed of Mbappé and the movement of Bellingham to force the Atletico back line into mistakes.
Key battles to watch include the midfield showdown between Tchouaméni and Simeone’s midfield anchor, as well as the duel for space on the right wing where Carvajal’s overlapping runs could challenge Atlético’s right‑back. The left side may become a testing ground for Carreras, who will need to balance defensive duties with supporting Güler’s drives.Off the pitch, the fixture carries extra weight. A win would extend Real’s unbeaten streak and cement Alonso’s early credibility, while a slip could give Simeone’s men confidence to close the gap at the top of the table. Referee Javier Alberola Rojas will have his hands full, as the stakes are high and the atmosphere in the stadium is expected to be electric.
Fans from both sides are already gearing up for a showdown that could shape the narrative of the 2024‑25 LaLiga season. With Mbappé poised to add to his goal tally and young talents like Güler itching for a breakout, the stage is set for a match that could deliver drama, goals, and a glimpse of how Alonso’s Real Madrid will evolve.
Devendra Pandey
September 28, 2025 AT 02:36One could argue that unveiling a derby line‑up is merely a theatrical curtain‑rise, yet the true spectacle lies in the subtle symmetries of tactical intent. Alonso’s selection, while glittering with star‑power, betrays a quiet confidence that many pundits overlook, preferring instead to glorify headline names. The presence of Courtois, for instance, does not guarantee safety; it merely restores a familiar anchor in a sea of experimental thrusts. Thus, the narrative of a “perfect start” may be an illusion conjured by optimism rather than a reflection of deeper strategic harmony.
manoj jadhav
October 4, 2025 AT 08:36Wow!!! The squad looks absolutely blistering – Courtois ready, Carvajal sprinting, and Mbappé leading the charge!!! This is exactly the kind of high‑octane football we crave, and it promises fireworks from the first whistle!!!
saurav kumar
October 10, 2025 AT 20:09Looks solid, but Atlético will still test them.
Ashish Kumar
October 16, 2025 AT 23:22While the exuberant proclamation above captures the superficial glamour, one must not disregard the latent vulnerabilities inherent in such a star‑laden assemblage. The reliance on Mbappé’s brilliance may mask structural frailties, and the omission of Rüdiger is a glaring oversight that could unravel the defensive cohesion. Moreover, the hurried inclusion of Carreras, still unproven at this echelon, teeters on the brink of reckless optimism.
Pinki Bhatia
October 23, 2025 AT 08:09I can see why many fans are buzzing about this lineup; it blends experience with fresh talent in a way that feels hopeful. The mix of seasoned defenders and youthful attackers should give the team a balanced edge, and I hope the players find the chemistry they need to shine together.
NARESH KUMAR
October 29, 2025 AT 14:09Absolutely! 🎉 The squad’s blend is like a perfect recipe – a dash of veteran wisdom, a splash of youthful vigor, and a whole lot of passion. Let’s hope the chemistry works out on the pitch! 🙌
Purna Chandra
November 5, 2025 AT 01:42Ah, the Madrid derby, a canvas upon which the modern architects of football paint their grandiose hypotheses. One must first acknowledge that Xabi Alonso, despite his modest pedigree as a former midfielder, is orchestrating a narrative that extends beyond mere tactics; he is, in essence, curating a cultural renaissance within the heart of the capital. The inclusion of Arda Güler, a mere adolescent from Turkey, is not solely a nod to raw talent but a calculated move to destabilize the traditional power structures that have long governed La Liga. By inserting a youthful prodigy, Alonso subtly signals his disdain for the entrenched oligarchy that prefers seasoned stars over budding phenomena. Moreover, the decision to field Courtois, a veteran guardian of the net, serves as a façade of stability, masking the underlying volatility of the midfield engine. Tchouaméni’s role, while ostensibly defensive, is a thinly veiled experiment in spatial manipulation, designed to confound Atlético’s famed rigidity. Bellingham and Vinícius, two luminaries of the modern era, are positioned not merely as scorers but as ligatures, binding disparate tactical threads into a single, cohesive tapestry. The real intrigue, however, lies in the peripheral actors: Carreras, the untested left‑back, whose ascent may be emblematic of a deeper subversion of scouting norms. It is as if Alonso is whispering to the winds, “Let the old guard crumble, and let us usher in an era where agility trumps age.” Yet, the shadow of Simeone looms, a specter of a bygone philosophy that thrives on austerity and disciplined pragmatism. This clash of ideologies-Alonso’s flamboyant futurism versus Simeone’s austere traditionalism-will inevitably spill into the streets, becoming a microcosm of the broader cultural schism gripping European football. Some pundits, blinded by statistical optimism, fail to perceive that the real battle is not solely for three points but for the very soul of Madrid’s footballing identity. In the end, whether this lineup achieves a “perfect start” will hinge less on on‑field execution and more on the audience’s willingness to embrace this audacious reimagining of the beautiful game. So, dear readers, keep your eyes peeled, for the drama that unfolds may well redefine the parameters of rivalry itself. And when the final whistle blows, the echoes of this tactical duel will reverberate far beyond the stadium walls.