Real Madrid have officially announced their traveling squad for the upcoming Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty, and the list has immediately raised concerns among fans. Manager Xabi Alonso heads into the crucial European fixture with major defensive problems, compounding the frustration already building after Los Blancos’ painful derby defeat to Atlético Madrid.
The Champions League often serves as a source of relief and renewed hope for Real Madrid whenever domestic struggles arise. This time, however, Alonso will have to navigate the long and difficult journey to Kazakhstan with a depleted squad, particularly in defense. The absences are as worrying as they are numerous. Several key names are missing from the list: Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy have all been ruled out. That means Madrid are traveling without five of their most trusted defensive options, leaving Alonso with limited choices to assemble a solid backline.
For a team built on balance and control, the lack of depth in defense represents a significant challenge. Militão and Rüdiger, usually reliable at the heart of defense, provide physicality, aerial dominance, and leadership that will be hard to replace. Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold, two of the most experienced and creative right-backs in world football, give Madrid crucial width and attacking support that often unlocks tight games. On the left, Ferland Mendy has been a defensive anchor who also allows Vinícius Júnior more freedom to focus on attack. Losing all of them at once feels like a nightmare scenario for Alonso.
The timing of the crisis could not be worse. Madrid’s loss in the derby has left both players and supporters demanding a strong response, and the Champions League seemed like the perfect opportunity to reset and regain confidence.
Instead, Alonso faces a tactical puzzle: how to reorganize his team for a tricky away trip with so many absentees. The long distance to Kazakhstan adds another layer of fatigue and logistical difficulty to the preparations, making this fixture far more complicated than it first appeared.
Fans have already voiced their concerns online, with many questioning whether Madrid can remain competitive in Europe with such a weakened defensive setup. Some argue that the squad’s depth should be enough to cope, while others fear that this is exactly the kind of situation that exposes Madrid’s vulnerabilities. Either way, the pressure on Alonso is undeniable.
The Champions League has always been Real Madrid’s competition of choice, their stage to shine even in moments of domestic difficulty. Now, Alonso must find solutions under immense pressure.
With five defenders unavailable, this trip to Kairat Almaty has transformed from what might have been a routine group stage encounter into a true test of Madrid’s resilience, squad depth, and Alonso’s tactical
