Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said that his side were already focused on their Champions League away clash with Kairat Almaty on Tuesday evening (18:45 CEST), putting their 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid behind them. In Kazakhstan, Los Blancos will have the chance to prove it.
The Basque manager focused much of his criticism of his side post-match on their attitude, but Alonso also explained that Real Madrid were still working out their new identity under him. Real Madrid will be looking to make it two wins out of two after a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille in their first European clash, but will be feeling the effects of a journey of more than 6,000km, and a three-hour time zone difference.
At least five changes for Real Madrid
The belief is that Alonso will rotate in Almaty, with Diario AS expecting at least five changes. Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga are due to start in midfield alongside Jude Bellingham, with just two starts between the trio so far. Raul Asencio is expected to replace Eder Militao too, who came off with an ankle injury.
There is plenty of eyes on #RealMadrid to react to their derby defeat this evening against Kairat Almaty.
Diario AS believe that Xabi Alonso will ring the changes – and return Fede Valverde to right-back. #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/GPlSQYgoL6
— Football España (@footballespana_) September 30, 2025
They also believe Kylian Mbappe could be left out, with Brahim Diaz and Gonzalo Garcia Torres competing for a starting spot, alongside one of the Brazilian forwards, Vinicius Junior or Rodrygo Goes.
Fede Valverde to return to right-back
Both AS and Sport expect Fede Valverde to return to the right-back role, after Dani Carvajal left the derby with an injury and was ruled out for the best part of a month. Both agree that Fran Garcia will come in for Alvaro Carreras on the left side of defence too.
Their primary point of disagreement comes in the form of Franco Mastantuono and Kylian Mbappe, who the Catalan daily predict will start alongside Rodrygo Goes.
Read the full article here
