Alonso Faced with Defensive Puzzle for Sevilla Clash
Real Madrid returns to the Santiago Bernabéu on December 20, desperate to snap a home winless streak that stretches back to early November. Head coach Xabi Alonso faces a selection headache for his final starting lineup of 2025 as injuries and disciplinary issues deplete his squad.
The defensive unit is particularly thin, with young prospects Álvaro Carreras and Edrick still serving suspensions following their red cards against Celta Vigo. Interestingly, Edrick is poised for a loan move to Lyon, meaning his time in Madrid’s first-team rotation will likely pause until the summer.
Fran García’s return from suspension offers a glimmer of hope, but the fitness of key starters remains a significant concern. Both Fede Valverde and Raúl Asencio are battling illness, leaving Alonso to wait until the eleventh hour to confirm their availability for Saturday’s encounter.
While Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy have returned to the training ground, they are reportedly lacking the match fitness required to start. With Sevilla arriving at a vulnerable time, Alonso must find a makeshift solution to stabilize a backline that has looked uncharacteristically fragile in recent weeks.
