Xabi Alonso smiles: he already knows how to deal with Carvajal's and Trent's injuries

The sports management of Real Madrid decided to sign English right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer after Carvajal's long-term absence. Last season, the Merengue team's defense was a real drama with continuous injuries. A drama that intensified at times in the right-back position.

It seemed Madrid had solved their problems, but the start of La Liga hasn't been kind to the Whites. After the first six matchdays ended with victories, in the seventh against their city rival, all of Madrid's ghosts reappeared. Dani Carvajal stepped up after the classic that ended with Atlético's 5-2 rout.

The right-back would undergo a series of physical tests a day after the Whites' debacle following the injury suffered in the Madrid classic. Carvajal has an injury in the soleus muscle of his right leg, and it's estimated that he could be out for a month. In addition to Carvajal's absence, there's also the Englishman Trent, who went down against Olympique de Marseille with a hamstring injury in his left leg.

Xabi Alonso left without a right-back

Considering that both are out and their recovery is estimated at about a month, Xabi Alonso will have to activate a contingency plan. With his full-backs injured, the Basque coach apparently has two options. The first is to place Raúl Asencio, although with Rüdiger's injury, he has become the third center-back.

The other alternative is to use Fede Valverde, who has already played in this position in the past. In any case, Xabi Alonso drafted David Jiménez, Castilla's right-back, for the squad against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League played yesterday. In the starting line-up, Xabi Alonso chose Asencio to occupy the right-back position this time.

Fede Valverde denies he doesn't want to play at right-back

The Uruguayan footballer could become one of the solutions for the right-back position in the upcoming matches. Valverde has stated several times that he wasn't born to play at right-back, but in any case, he'll play wherever the coach asks him to. Fede Valverde prefers to play in midfield, where he can display all his qualities as a footballer.

Valverde is satisfied with how things have turned out when he's had to play as a right-back, although he considers it an emergency situation. The Uruguayan admits that it's hard for him to close down in defense, but he shows his best attitude, which has ultimately helped him overcome in that position. Valverde categorically denied not wanting to play at right-back, stating that he's always been available for the team's needs.