Real Madrid vs. Alavés: Predicted Lineup Features Makeshift Defense

Real Madrid heads into tomorrow's match against Alavés in a precarious situation. With little room for error in the title race and a squad stretched thin by numerous absences, coach Xabi Alonso will have to get creative with his team selection.

A string of injuries and suspensions has decimated Madrid's defensive ranks, turning what should be a straightforward, must-win game into a serious test of the team's adaptability.

**Defensive Crisis**

The list of absentees is extensive. Álvaro Carreras and Fran García are suspended. Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Eduardo Camavinga are all sidelined with injuries. Endrick is also unavailable due to suspension. Essentially, Real Madrid is without all of its natural full-backs and two of its preferred center-backs.

This leaves Alonso with limited options and the potential need to rush players back from injury sooner than ideally planned.

Antonio Rüdiger, despite not being fully fit, has been included in the squad and might be forced to start due to the sheer lack of alternatives. Dean Huijsen is also back in the squad, providing another emergency option in the center of defense.

The most logical solution, and perhaps the one that would cause the least disruption overall, would involve playing Fede Valverde at right-back – a position he has filled previously. Raúl Asencio and Rüdiger could then form the center-back partnership. On the left, Valdepeñas, who has been called up from Castilla, might be thrown into the deep end with his senior debut, given his ability to play both center-back and left-back.