The injury room has kept Xabi Alonso on tenterhooks for several days. He faced the matches against Getafe and Juventus with half a dozen players unavailable.
But the ossible coach finally has several key players back in time for El Clásico. Carvajal, Trent, Huijsen, and Ceballos all trained with the group in the first session dedicated to preparing for the clash, easing Xabi’s shortage of defensive options.
It remains to be seen, however, how fit they are to start such a demanding match after their various spells on the sidelines. The most likely to feature from the start is Huijsen, who missed the last two games due to a soleus muscle injury in his right leg that also kept him out of Spain’s recent fixtures. It appears more difficult for Carvajal and Trent to return straight into the starting lineup after four weeks and forty days without playing, respectively.
That situation could force Xabi to continue with Valverde at right back. In that case, the defense would consist of the Uruguayan alongside Militao, Huijsen, and Carreras, with Courtois in goal.
In midfield, speculation is already growing. Tchouameni’s place seems secure, while the rest of the puzzle still needs assembling. Mbappé, Vinicius, Bellingham, and Güler are also expected to start, leaving just one midfield spot open—likely for Camavinga, who was left on the bench against Juventus. That could well be a hint of his inclusion from the start in Sunday’s Clásico. The French number 6 would then partner his compatriot Tchouameni in a double pivot, with Güler, Bellingham, and Vinicius supporting Mbappé up front.
Based on that, Xabi Alonso’s probable lineup for Sunday’s Clásico would be: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; and Mbappé. On the bench: Lunin, Carvajal, Trent, Asencio, Fran García, Mendy, Ceballos, Brahim, Mastantuono, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Gonzalo. If there are no last-minute absences, those 23 players would fill the matchday list, leaving no room for youth players.
Xabi Alonso thus recovers Carvajal, Trent, Huijsen, and Ceballos, with Mendy already having returned to the squad against Juventus on Wednesday. Only Alaba and Rüdiger remain in the injury room. Madrid has no suspensions or players at risk of suspension.