Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso faces a tough choice between Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
One is the team’s main captain, a highly experienced defender who has contributed to numerous successes. The other is still relatively new to the squad but matches anyone in skill and ability. Choosing between Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold is no easy task. Alonso, however, is thrilled to be in such a “sweet problem.”
Real Madrid suffered heavily from defensive injuries last season, especially missing right-back Carvajal for most of the campaign. The defender, who had an outstanding previous season, spent almost the entire last season sidelined due to an ACL injury.
Carvajal has now returned to full fitness. Meanwhile, Real Madrid signed Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, also one of the world’s best right-backs. His vision and ability to deliver long, game-changing passes are unmatched.
Who will Alonso choose to start the new season? The coach says fans will have to wait for the answer. He added that he enjoys having such competitive dilemmas in every position.
“Competition here is truly intense. It’s good for the team, and I like it too. I want there to be rivalry in every position, with two players eager to prove themselves. Then we will make our decisions… having such competition is excellent for the squad. We have a long season ahead and many matches to play. Everyone will be needed,” Alonso said.
Real Madrid will kick off the new La Liga season on Tuesday against Osasuna. Following the Club World Cup last month, the players have had little rest, and the pre-season preparation was extremely limited. They played only one match during the pre-season period.
Alonso, however, is refusing to use fatigue or lack of preparation as an excuse.
“After a long season, it would have been ideal for players to have a little extra rest, and of course more preparation time would have been better. In the end, we didn’t get that. That’s just how it is. We had only two weeks of preparation. But we won’t make excuses. The team has to fight, and tomorrow (Tuesday) we will fight,” he added.
