Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has condemned La Liga’s plan to stage a league match in Miami, calling it “a clear distortion of the competition.” The controversial Villarreal vs Barcelona fixture, initially set for December 20 in the United States, was scrapped amid widespread backlash from players, fans, and clubs across Spain.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is edging closer to a Real Madrid return and could make the squad against Juventus after resuming group training. However, Xabi Alonso is still unsure about the condition of Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen ahead of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona, with several key players facing late fitness tests in a decisive week for Los Blancos.
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.
Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Marseille, but controversy overshadowed the result. Dani Carvajal was shown a red card for headbutting goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, while Kylian Mbappe struck twice from the spot to secure victory. Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi branded the late penalty "shameful" as he criticised the officials' decisions.
Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli has denied that he exaggerated as he fell to the ground following a clash of heads with Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal. The Madrid star was sent off for forcing his head up against the shot-stopper's late on in the Champions League clash between the two clubs on Tuesday. The Spanish side went on to score via a Kylian Mbappe penalty, sealing a 2-1 win.
Kylian Mbappe buried two penalties to overcome a fine finish from Tim Weah as Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a narrow 2-1 win over Marseille. It was a rather mixed night from Los Blancos, who lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury and saw Dani Carvajal sent off, but managed to snag a late win in their search for Champions League redemption.
Xabi Alonso heaped praise on Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal for his "competitive gene" and claimed that he will be a "fundamental" player this season. Those remarks could come as a huge setback for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has started just twice in four La Liga matches this season since joining from Liverpool in the summer window.