Alvaro Carreras‑to‑centre‑back and other defensive shuffles
Real Madrid’s manager Xabi Alonso isn’t afraid to bend the rules when it comes to keeping his squad fresh. For the upcoming La Liga meeting with newly‑promoted Levante, he’s taken Alvaro Carreras out of his regular midfield berth and planted him in the heart of defence. It’s a makeshift move, but the Spaniard trusts the youngster’s tactical sense to help shore up the back line.
Fran García steps in for the rested Dani Carvajal, lining up on the left side of defence. On the opposite flank, Raúl Asencio gets the nod at right‑back, completing a defensive lineup that looks very different from the one that carried Madrid through the first five matches.
Dean Huijsen, who missed the last game due to a one‑match ban, returns to partner Carreras in central defence. Meanwhile, Eder Militao gets a breather despite his recent hot form. In goal, Thibaut Courtois remains the undisputed number one, having helped the team concede only two goals in five games while keeping three clean sheets.
Why the rotation matters and what it means for the season
Alonso’s squad rotation is more than just a chance to give fringe players minutes. With Madrid perched at the top of La Liga on a perfect record, the manager is already looking ahead to the bigger challenges – the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano and a demanding trip to Almaty to face Kairat.
In midfield, Aurelien Tchouameni sits out, and Dani Ceballos slides into the middle of the park alongside Arda Güler and captain Federico Valverde. The change adds a bit more creativity and less defensive rigidity, something Alonso says could be useful against teams that press hard.
Up front, Gonzalo García, who started the previous match against Espanyol, is left out. Instead, the forward line consists of Franco Mastantuono, Kyline Mbappé, and Vinícius Jr. The trio blends speed, flair, and a proven goal‑scoring instinct – exactly the mix needed to keep Levante on the back foot.
This strategic shuffling underlines what Alonso calls a “goal‑oriented rotation.” He wants to preserve the squad’s physical condition, avoid injuries, and still maintain the high‑tempo style that has defined Madrid’s early season success. By Real Madrid rotation he hopes to walk into the Atletico derby with a full 18 points, keeping the perfect start alive while giving his players a clear picture of the workload ahead.
All eyes will be on whether Carreras can hold his own as a centre‑back and how the new back‑four gels against Levante’s attack. If the plan works, Madrid could cruise through this fixture, preserve its clean‑sheet record, and arrive at the derby with both confidence and a rested squad ready for the next big test.
sneha arora September 25, 2025
Carreras at CB? 😍 I love when coaches trust the kids! Hope he crushes it and we keep the clean sheet! 🙌
Amit Mitra September 25, 2025
This rotation is actually brilliant if you think about it. Carreras has always had that calm, read-the-game mentality even when he played midfield. He’s not the most physical, but his positioning and anticipation are top-tier for his age. And letting Militao rest now means he’s fresh for Atleti - which is way more important than this game. Also, Franco Mastantuono starting? That kid’s got the kind of dribbling that breaks low blocks. Levante won’t know what hit them. Plus, Tchouameni sitting out? Smart. He’s the engine, but he needs to be saved for the derby. Alonso’s playing 4D chess here.
Sagar Solanki September 25, 2025
Let’s be real - this isn’t rotation, it’s panic. Carreras at CB? He’s been burned twice in UCL qualifiers. And Militao’s resting? He’s the only one who can handle physical strikers. This is the exact moment Atleti’s scouts are salivating. They’ll exploit this ‘experiment’ in the derby. And don’t even get me started on Mbappé being called Kyline - that’s not a typo, that’s a PR disaster waiting to happen. Alonso’s either a genius or he’s about to get sacked after the next 3 games.
Siddharth Madan September 25, 2025
Glad to see the team keeping it fresh. Carreras has the brains for it. Just hope the fullbacks hold up.
Nathan Roberson September 26, 2025
Honestly I’m excited for this lineup. Vinícius + Mastantuono + Mbappé is gonna be a nightmare for Levante. And Carreras in the back? I trust Alonso. He’s not doing this for fun - he’s building something. Plus, if this works, imagine how much depth we’ve got for the Champions League knockouts.
Thomas Mathew September 27, 2025
Rotation is just a fancy word for instability. Every great team has a spine. Real Madrid used to have Ramos, Pepe, Modrić - now we have Carreras playing CB because the manager doesn’t know how to manage minutes. This isn’t strategy. This is fear dressed up as innovation. And don’t tell me about ‘goal-oriented rotation’ - that’s just corporate jargon. We’re not a startup. We’re Real Madrid. We don’t experiment. We dominate. And if we lose to Levante because of this, it won’t be a blip. It’ll be the beginning of the end.
Dr.Arunagiri Ganesan September 27, 2025
This is how you build a legacy. Not just with stars, but with trust. Carreras, Mastantuono, Asencio - these are the future. Alonso is planting seeds. And when they bloom, we’ll look back and say: this was the moment everything changed.
Frances Sullivan September 28, 2025
The tactical implications of deploying Carreras as a ball-playing center-back in a high-line system are nontrivial. His passing accuracy from deep (78% in UCL qualifiers) suggests he can initiate build-up under pressure, which mitigates the risk of Levante’s aggressive press. However, his lack of aerial dominance (32% win rate in duels) creates exploitable vulnerabilities against physical forwards - a concern given Levante’s reliance on set-pieces. Alonso’s decision to rest Militao despite his 94% tackle success rate is statistically counterintuitive unless injury mitigation is prioritized over immediate defensive solidity. The substitution of Tchouameni for Ceballos introduces a 12% reduction in defensive coverage per 90 minutes - a calculated risk that aligns with the team’s 87% possession dominance this season. If the back four can maintain compactness, this rotation could redefine squad management in elite football.