Trent Alexander-Arnold on His Way Back! England Star in Line for Real Madrid Return Against Juventus

But Xabi Alonso Still Sweating on Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen for Crucial Clasico Clash Against Barcelona

Real Madrid fans have been waiting weeks for some positive news from the club’s medical department — and it finally arrived. Trent Alexander-Arnold is edging closer to a comeback and could be included in the squad for the midweek Champions League showdown against Juventus.

The England international’s potential return offers a timely boost for head coach Xabi Alonso, who has been forced to juggle a depleted defence while navigating a packed schedule. But even as Madrid prepares to welcome Trent back, concerns remain over Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen ahead of Sunday’s monumental El Clasico against Barcelona.

It’s a week that could define Madrid’s season — and Alonso’s selection choices will carry huge consequences.

Trent Closes in on Real Madrid Return Ahead of Juventus Clash

The sight of Trent Alexander-Arnold training with the group at Valdebebas was enough to lift spirits across Madrid. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for over a month with a muscle issue, missing six matches and England’s October internationals. According to reports from AS, Trent completed a major portion of group training and is now pushing to be named in the travelling squad for the Juventus game.

Madrid’s medical staff remain cautious, but the signs are encouraging. “He’s moving well, his rhythm looks good, and there’s been no reaction so far,” a source close to the club told AS. The plan, it seems, is to involve him against Juventus — at least off the bench — to test his match fitness before El Clasico.

Alonso, pragmatic as ever, is unlikely to take risks. “We’ve missed his intelligence and the balance he brings,” the manager said earlier this month. “But we need him at 100 percent.”

Trent’s versatility has been a revelation since his move from Liverpool. Alonso has used him both as an inverted full-back and as a deep-lying playmaker, often dictating tempo from midfield zones. His return would not only bring back that tactical flexibility but also restore calm to a back line that has been stretched thin.

Defensive Relief: Mendy Returns, but Problems Persist

While Trent’s progress is the headline news, there are further updates from the treatment room. Ferland Mendy has returned to full training and should be available for the Juventus fixture. His comeback is significant — not only does it strengthen the left flank, but it also allows Eduardo Camavinga to move back into midfield, a role in which he has been sorely missed.

That said, Alonso’s defensive headaches are far from over. Antonio Rudiger has been officially ruled out of both Juventus and Barcelona. The German centre-back, who has been one of Madrid’s most reliable performers this season, is still recovering from a rectus femoris injury. His absence, compounded by uncertainty around David Alaba’s fitness, leaves Madrid light in central defence.

Alaba felt discomfort in his right soleus during the narrow 1-0 win over Getafe and is awaiting medical test results. Alonso won’t risk him unnecessarily, particularly with the Clasico looming.

That means Madrid could enter their most decisive week of the season with an improvised back line — again.

Madrid Still Sweating Over Carvajal and Huijsen Ahead of El Clasico

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If there’s one player Alonso desperately wants fit for the weekend, it’s Dani Carvajal. The veteran full-back, a mainstay in big games, is battling muscle discomfort and hasn’t trained fully this week. His experience in high-pressure encounters like the Clasico is irreplaceable, but his availability remains uncertain.

Dean Huijsen, meanwhile, is racing the clock. The young defender, who impressed earlier this season before picking up a knock, has yet to rejoin full training. Madrid’s medical team are working around the clock, but optimism is fading that he’ll be ready in time for Sunday.

Without Carvajal, Alonso faces a dilemma. Throw Trent straight into two intense matches within four days — Juventus and Barcelona — or improvise again by using Federico Valverde as a makeshift right-back. Valverde has filled that role before, but it robs Madrid of one of their most dynamic midfielders in transitions.

For Alonso, it’s a delicate balancing act. “You can only make so many compromises before it catches up with you,” one Madrid insider told Marca. “He has to decide whether to protect Trent or push him.”

A Packed and Pressured Week for Los Blancos

Madrid’s schedule couldn’t be more brutal: Juventus on Wednesday, Barcelona on Sunday. Two matches, four days, and massive implications both in Europe and in La Liga.

First comes the Champions League tie in Turin — a test of momentum as much as mentality. Madrid currently top their group, but a win would virtually guarantee qualification and allow Alonso to rotate more freely later in the competition. The plan is to use returning players like Trent and Mendy cautiously, balancing fitness and rhythm.

But the true focus lies on El Clasico. Barcelona sit just two points behind Madrid in the league table. A loss at the Santiago Bernabéu could see the gap disappear entirely, reigniting the title race.

And for Alonso, whose tenure has already been marked by impressive tactical evolution and composure under pressure, it’s the kind of match that defines reputations.

Inside the Treatment Room: Who’s In, Who’s Out

As things stand, here’s how Madrid’s injury picture looks heading into this crucial week:

• Trent Alexander-Arnold: Nearing full recovery. Could make squad for Juventus, expected to feature in El Clasico.

• Dani Carvajal: Doubtful. Training individually, facing a race against time.

• Dean Huijsen: Unlikely to be fit for Juventus; still a doubt for Barcelona.

• Antonio Rudiger: Ruled out for both matches.

• David Alaba: Doubtful. Awaiting medical results.

• Ferland Mendy: Fully fit and available for Juventus.

• Dani Ceballos: Still training alone, won’t feature midweek.

In midfield, there are no new injuries — a rare piece of good news — but the lack of defensive options may once again force Alonso to redeploy Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back. The Frenchman has handled that role admirably, but it weakens Madrid’s ability to dominate possession in the middle of the park.

Alonso’s Balancing Act: Rotation, Rhythm, and Risk

Getafe CF v Real Madrid CF – LaLiga EA Sports

Managing this situation requires not just tactical intelligence but emotional intelligence. Alonso knows the demands of this club better than most — as a former player, he understands that Real Madrid expect victories even when circumstances are stacked against them.

Against Juventus, expect a controlled performance. Alonso will want his side to manage energy efficiently, control possession, and avoid the chaotic exchanges that can lead to unnecessary fatigue or injuries. Trent may be introduced late on, depending on how the game unfolds.

Come Sunday, though, there will be no holding back. El Clasico is not just another fixture; it’s the fixture. Fans demand intensity, precision, and above all, victory. Whether or not all his key defenders are fit, Alonso will have to find solutions.

Trent’s Return: Tactical and Psychological Impact

Even if Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t start against Juventus, his presence in the squad will lift the entire dressing room. The Englishman’s creativity and range of passing have been sorely missed — Madrid have struggled to progress the ball cleanly from defence without him.

Moreover, Trent’s ability to drift into midfield and act as a secondary playmaker adds another layer to Alonso’s fluid system. His chemistry with Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. could prove decisive, especially in breaking down compact defensive setups.

And beyond tactics, there’s symbolism. Seeing Trent back on the pitch signals that Madrid are regaining their strength just in time for the defining stretch of the season.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

For all the glamour surrounding Real Madrid, their current predicament is a reminder of football’s fragility. A few injuries, a few missteps, and even the strongest sides can wobble. Alonso’s task now is to steady the ship, navigate a tricky European tie, and outthink Barcelona in the league’s fiercest rivalry.

Every decision — who starts, who rests, who risks — will be scrutinized.

But Madrid’s history is built on moments like these. The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold may be just the spark they need. His comeback offers not just tactical variety, but a surge of belief.

Because at Real Madrid, it’s never just about surviving a week like this — it’s about conquering it.