Real Madrid rotates their squad in the Copa del Rey amid injury crisis.
The Copa del Rey Round 32 match at Talavera Stadium turned into a life-or-death test for Xabi Alonso: nine key players were absent, the team was a makeshift lineup of reserves and young stars, but the imperative was still to win to keep his job.
The away match against CF Talavera in the 32nd round of the Copa del Rey suddenly became a turning point for Real Madrid's season. Amidst a storm of injuries and fatigue sweeping through Valdebebas, Xabi Alonso was forced to rotate almost the entire squad, fielding a completely unfamiliar lineup, but still having to ensure one thing: no mistakes were allowed.
Valdebebas are missing 9 key first-team players.
Tuesday morning's training session at the Valdebebas training center was subdued. According to journalist Melchor Ruiz (COPE), as many as nine first-team players were absent due to injury or needing rest: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, Kylian Mbappe, and Dani Ceballos.
This list reveals the price Real Madrid has paid after a series of high-intensity matches. The team recently rediscovered their winning form against Deportivo Alaves in La Liga, temporarily easing the pressure on head coach Xabi Alonso, but this came at the cost of tired legs and overloaded muscles.
Antonio Rudiger had to play through pain, Federico Valverde suffered from muscle strain, Dani Ceballos was sidelined with gastritis, and Eduardo Camavinga had a problem with his left soleus muscle. In this context, any setbacks to the remaining players could plunge Real into a deeper crisis.
The pressure of one match and Xabi Alonso's job.
The Copa del Rey is always fraught with pitfalls, especially in the early rounds when the big teams have to play away against lower-division opponents. CF Talavera is currently in the relegation zone of the RFEF Primera Federación and has lost 6 of their last 8 matches, theoretically making them a completely inferior opponent.
But the single-elimination format turns the game into a one-way street: there's no room for error. Just one night of complacency is enough to turn the trip to Municipal El Prado on Thursday morning into a disaster.
Xabi Alonso's position, though somewhat eased by the victory against Deportivo Alaves, is still far from secure. A slip-up against a third-division team would not only be a blow to Real Madrid's image but could also spell the end of his reign at the Bernabeu. Therefore, Alonso must find a delicate balance: aggressive rotation to conserve energy, but still maintaining a core of players capable of controlling the game.
Real Madrid's makeshift squad and new look.
With nine first-team players absent and several other key players, such as David Alaba, whose return dates are uncertain, Real Madrid are expected to field a mixed team of reserves and young players from the La Fábrica academy.
Lunin and the mandatory rejuvenation of their defense.
In goal, Andriy Lunin is likely to return to the role of number one goalkeeper in cup competitions. This has been a familiar choice in recent seasons, and it also allows the main goalkeeper in La Liga to rest.
The biggest changes are in the defense. With Eder Militão, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and key full-backs all absent, Xabi Alonso will almost certainly have to rely on the young central defensive pairing of Huijsen and Carreras (who was recently suspended in La Liga and is therefore fully fit for the cup match).
Fran Garcia is almost the only option for the left flank, while on the right, Raul Asencio and David Jiménez compete for a starting spot. This defensive structure is clearly situational, as Real Madrid has to rely almost entirely on reserve players.
Midfield: Tchouameni isolated, opportunities open up for young stars.
In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni is one of the few fit first-team players. The French midfielder is likely to play the role of a defensive anchor, controlling the tempo and shielding the inexperienced back four.
Alongside Tchouameni, Arda Guler has a chance to play as Real Madrid needs more creativity from midfield while still conserving the energy of key players. Guler's presence could make a difference in situations involving tight spaces and set pieces.
The big question mark lies with Jude Bellingham. It's entirely possible the English star will be rested to avoid burnout, opening up a historic opportunity for Thiago Pitarch to make his first-team debut. If this scenario unfolds, it would send a strong message that Alonso is willing to put his faith in La Fábrica during this difficult period.
Attack: A gamble with Gonzalo Garcia, Mastantuono returns.
Up front, Real Madrid are hoping for the return of Franco Mastantuono after a long period battling a groin injury, having only played a mere 2 minutes in the last 9 matches. The medical team's decision to give him the "green light" to start is a crucial boost for Alonso given the lack of attacking options.
Rodrygo Goes is expected to play on the left wing, allowing Vinicius Junior to rest completely. This decision both reduces the workload on one of the most important attacking players and gives Rodrygo a chance to rediscover his form as a key striker.
The center forward position holds the biggest surprise. According to close sources, Gonzalo Garcia – not the blockbuster signing Endrick – is more likely to be chosen as the striker. Endrick is still struggling to adapt and has yet to convince Xabi Alonso in training or in his limited playing time. Prioritizing Gonzalo Garcia shows Alonso's selection criteria: current form and readiness, not reputation.
The match will test squad depth and Alonso's future.
The clash against CF Talavera is not only the start of the Copa del Rey campaign, but also a rigorous test of Real Madrid's squad depth in the turbulent year of 2025. A relatively unfamiliar lineup, with almost complete rotation, must still function reliably in the knockout format.
For Xabi Alonso, this was also a test of his ability to "make do with what he had": optimizing limited resources, protecting key players from overwork, and avoiding any risks that could damage Real Madrid's reputation and his own future at the Bernabeu. El Prado, therefore, was not just the venue for a cup match, but the place where Alonso's reign would be shaped as it weathered its first storm.