Carvajal's Champions League Heroics Leave Xabi Alonso Facing Major Selection Dilemma

Real Madrid kicked off their 2025–26 Champions League campaign with a victory over Marseille. However, Los Blancos now face a significant challenge ahead regarding their right-back situation.

Dani Carvajal, who came into the match against Marseille just five minutes after Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up what appeared to be a hamstring problem, received his marching orders in the 72nd minute.

The Real Madrid skipper was involved in a verbal altercation with Marseille keeper Gerónimo Rulli before the pair clashed heads.

Referee Ifran Peljto initially missed the incident, but the VAR team alerted him to review the footage. Upon examining Carvajal's actions, he returned to the pitch and brandished a direct red card in the 72nd minute.

Los Blancos secured the victory thanks to Kylian Mbappé's penalty conversion, though the main concern lies in what comes next.

Xabi Alonso will likely be missing both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold when Real Madrid travel to face Kairat Almaty on September 30. Currently, there's no other genuine right-back available in Real Madrid's squad.

This predicament may compel Alonso to utilize the adaptable Fede Valverde in the right-back role for their upcoming Champions League fixture. After a 2024–25 campaign where Valverde and several other Real Madrid stars were regularly deployed outside their preferred positions, this pattern appears set to persist. Moving Valverde to defense will also require adjustments to his midfield arrangements.

Although Madrid remain favorites against Kairat Almaty, both the injury and red card follow Dean Huijsen's dismissal in La Liga. Alonso must juggle his squad selections across both tournaments for several weeks while trying to maintain their winning momentum.