Real Madrid hit with major blow as starter is ruled out for PSG; line-ups confirmed

Real Madrid have been forced into a late reshuffle ahead of their Club World Cup semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain. England international Trent Alexander-Arnold has been removed from the squad list, and will not play a part in the match in New Jersey.

Alexander-Arnold has been adapting steadily to what Xabi Alonso has been asking from him, and in the last two games, has made key contributions with his service to the forwards. However Los Blancos have been forced to adapt both their shape and their plans.

As per Diario AS, Alexander-Arnold felt discomfort in his right leg on Tuesday during Los Blancos’ last training session before facing PSG. Real Madrid have decided not to take any risks, and Alexander-Arnold has been left out of the squad. It leaves Real Madrid without both of their new signings this summer, with Dean Huijsen suspended for the match too.

The reshuffle at the back means Fede Valverde will be at right-back, reprising a role from last season, with Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal considered not sharp enough to start the match.

Alonso has elected to start all three of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Gonzalo Garcia Torres up front for the game, suggesting a switch from the back five to the 4-3-3 deployed in their opening game against Al-Hilal. It had been framed as a choice between Mbappe, returning from illness, and Garcia, who is the breakout star of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Alonso arranges the trio without the ball.

Raul Asencio has replaced Huijsen as expected, with the midfield handed to Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham. Luis Enrique has replaced the suspended Willian Pacho with Lucas Beraldo, and reinstated Ousmane Dembele to the starting XI in place of Bradley Barcola.