Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid resume La Liga action this week, but things aren’t going smoothly.
They’ve got a big game against Real Betis coming up, and just when they need all hands on deck, injuries are piling up.
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Alonso has done a solid job so far this season, but now he’s got to figure out how to handle a tough match without some of his key players.
One of their main midfielders from France is out for a couple of weeks with a knee issue that got worse over the break.
That’s a big blow because he’s usually the guy pulling the strings in the middle of the park. To make things worse, young defender Dean Huijsen wasn’t fully fit, so he had to start on the bench.
That meant Raúl Asencio had to step in and partner up with Rüdiger at the back, which isn’t their usual setup and could be risky against a team like Betis.
Even with all that, Madrid are still a strong side, especially at home. They’ve got depth and talent, so it’s not like they’re helpless, but the timing of these injuries is rough.
January is packed with games, including the Copa del Rey and Champions League coming up, so they really can’t afford to slip.
Betis aren’t just showing up to make up the numbers either.
They’ve had some decent performances and will be looking to take advantage of any weakness. With Barcelona just ahead in the title race, every match matters now.
For Madrid, this isn’t just about three points, it’s about showing they can handle pressure and keep pushing for the top.
