Real Madrid have been plunged into a defensive crisis after Dani Carvajal suffered a calf injury during the Madrid derby, ruling him out for around a month. With Trent Alexander-Arnold already sidelined for up to eight weeks, Los Blancos are left without a single natural right-back, forcing Xabi Alonso to improvise ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Xabi Alonso reacted after Real Madrid got hammered by rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Saturday. Los Blancos suffered their first loss of the 2025-26 campaign as Diego Simeone's side registered a convincing 5-2 derby win at the Metropolitano Stadium courtesy of a brace from star striker Julian Alvarez. Veteran star Antoine Griezmann was also on target for Atletico.
Kylian Mbappe was seen storming down the tunnel after Real Madrid suffered a shock thumping at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman did not wish to shake hands with his opponents, nor clap Los Blancos' travelling fans, opting to make a beeline straight to the dressing room. Keen to avoid interacting with anyone, Mbappe was visibly unhappy with the performance and result.
Atletico Madrid hammered Real Madrid on Saturday in the first derby of the season, with some calamitous defending from Los Blancos leading to a comprehensive 5-2 win from their city rivals. Julian Alvarez stole the show from Kylian Mbappe by scoring twice for Diego Simeone's side, while Antoine Griezmann added a fifth in stoppage time to complete the rout.
Barcelona star Joan Garcia remains sidelined after a successful knee operation with the goalkeeper in danger of missing the Clasico showdown against Real Madrid in late October. The 24-year-old stopper, signed this summer from Espanyol for âŹ25 million, has been ruled out for between four and six weeks after arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Xabi Alonso believes Franco Mastantuono has the Real Madrid "gene" as the manager waxed lyrical about the 18-year-old's bright start since his summer transfer from River Plate. Madridâs swoop for Mastantuono had been in the works for months. They agreed a deal but had to bide their time until the wonderkid turned 18. Once the birthday candles were blown out, the six-year contract was sealed, tying him to the Bernabeu until 2031.
Harry Kane became the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club in Europe's top five leagues after bagging a brace for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen. The England captain had scored 98 goals in just 103 games for Bayern before kick-off, but his double in Friday's Bundesliga clash brought up his century and put him in a league of his own.
Juventus boss Igor Tudor has hailed Andrea Cambiaso as a âtop-notchâ full-back capable of playing for elite clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Liverpool. The versatile Italy international, who can also slot into midfield, is seen as a key asset as Juve return home to face Atalanta this weekend. Tudor stressed consistency will be key for the 25-year-old to reach his full potential.
After primary target William Saliba agreed a new long-term deal at Arsenal, Real have reportedly turned their attention back to Ibrahim Konate. The Liverpool defender's contract expires next summer, fitting Madrid's strategy of focusing on free transfers, but there is said to be internal debate at the club over the move.
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has confirmed Jude Bellingham is ready to feature in the crucial derby against Atletico Madrid. The England midfielder has returned from shoulder surgery earlier than expected, offering Alonso flexibility in midfield as Los Blancos chase a perfect start to the 2025-26 La Liga season.
Sergio Busquets has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025 MLS season, prompting an outpouring of emotion from the football world. Former rival and Spain teammate Sergio Ramos paid tribute to the Barcelona legend, calling him âone of the most brilliant midfieldersâ he ever played alongside.
Kylian Mbappe was hiding in the background while Xabi Alonso soliloquised. It was just after the opening game of the Champions League group phase. Mbappe had pieced together a remarkable Blancos rescue act, scoring twice to overturn a 1-0 deficit (and he might have had one or two more.) Alonso was singing his praises. He hailed Mbappe's "incredible impact", and promised that they were "just getting started.â And then, as he realised Mbappe was in the room - just out of the shot - he tailed off.
Bayern Munich are moving to secure Dayot Upamecanoâs future as the French defender's contract nears its end, with Serge Gnabryâs deal also under consideration after a strong start to the season. Sporting director Max Eberl confirmed open discussions, while interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid looms, making the coming months crucial for Bayernâs squad planning and title ambitions.
Endrick has shut down Real Madridâs idea of a loan move, insisting on fighting for his place at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 19-year-old has yet to debut under Xabi Alonso after recovering from injury, and with Gonzalo Garciaâs rise adding pressure, the teenager faces a defining battle to earn his breakthrough.
Mark Clattenburg has lifted the lid on a spat he had with Jurgen Klopp that led to the former Premier League referee telling the German to 'f*ck off'. Joining Adebayo Akinfenwa for episode seven of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Clattenburg explained how Klopp had sought to blame the match official for a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid, leading to a fiery response from the referee.
Former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, revealed a bizarre incident with Cristiano Ronaldo after the Euro 2016 final. The 50-year-old former referee, now better known for trading his black kit for the bright lights of BBCâs Gladiators, was the man in charge when Portugal toppled France to lift their first-ever European Championship nine years ago.
Marc Guehi is reportedly 'likely' to leave Crystal Palace in January amid transfer interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid. The defender was on the cusp of sealing an Anfield move on transfer deadline day, only for Palace to pull out of the deal at the eleventh hour. Madrid are hoping to sign him on a free next summer but the Eagles may try and get a fee for him in early 2026.
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that his dismissal by Bayern Munich was "worse" than the sackings he faced at Chelsea and Real Madrid. The Italian coach says it was a mistake against Paris Saint-Germain that saw him given his walking papers just a month into the 2017-18 season. The legendary manager reflected on the disappointing period in an upcoming autobiography.
Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has revealed that Lionel Messi was his childhood idol, while giving an ultimate compliment to former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Netherlands international was hit with a series of questions about his career and some of the best players he has come up against. And in it, he sung the praises of some well-known faces over the years.
Levante captain Unai Elgezabal has accused Vinicius Junior of 'disrespect' after a heated exchange with the Real Madrid forward. The centre-back said he reached the point he had had 'enough' following a confrontation with the Brazilian during Madrid's 4-1 win in Tuesday's La Liga clash at the Ciutat de Valencia.
Lamine Yamal won his second consecutive Kopa Trophy on Monday night, while at the same time finishing as runner up in the men's Ballon d'Or vote to Ousmane Dembele. This is not normal, of course. The kid is still only 18, which makes us think that we're witnessing the dawning of a new era of domination by a single player.
Vinicius Junior has revealed that teachings from former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric led to him scoring "one of his best goals ever" against Levante. The Brazilian winger opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a brilliant trivela shot before Franco Mastantuono doubled the lead in the first half. Kylian Mbappe then scored a brace to seal a thumping 4-1 win for the Spanish giants.
Franco Mastantuono is in absolute awe of fellow Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham, who made his second substitute appearance after returning from a two-month post-surgery layoff last week in Los Blancos' comfortable 4-1 win over Levante on Tuesday. Mastantuono claimed that he has never seen a player quite like the Englishman, showing eagerness to spend more time with him on the pitch.
Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono congratulated his Clasico rival and Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal for finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. The young Argentine was asked about being compared to Yamal after the former River Plate sensation scored his first goal for Los Blancos in Tuesday's 4-1 win over newly-promoted Levante.
Real Madrid have made a perfect start under Xabi Alonso with six wins from six in La Liga. The Spanish manager is pleased with the progress but warned it is only the beginning and the team must keep improving if they want to stay at the top of the Spanish top-flight and in with a chance of competing in the Champions League.
The Real Madrid attack hummed on Tuesday evening, as Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace and Vinicius Jr also scored to lift Los Blancos to a comfortable 4-1 win over Levante. Xabi Alonso's men have now won six out of six in the Spanish top flight.
Real Madrid
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