Xabi Alonso will not use key Real Madrid star in makeshift role vs Villarreal – report | OneFootball

Following their convincing 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League, Real Madrid are back in La Liga action this weekend as they take on Villarreal.

Having faltered in their previous league assignment – a 2-5 loss to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid will be intent on getting things back on track and head into the international break on a positive note.

For the midweek game against the Kazakhstan club, manager Xabi Alonso made some notable changes to the starting lineup, and is expected to rotate his troops again this weekend.

Valverde to return

According to Melchor Ruiz of COPE, Federico Valverde will be returning to the starting lineup for Real Madrid against Villarreal on Saturday night.

Furthermore, Alonso has no plans to use him as a makeshift right-back in the La Liga encounter.

Set to return vs Villarreal. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Uruguayan international’s exclusion from the team vs Kairat, and the fact that he did not even appear as a substitute, gave way to speculations that his benching was a consequence of his refusal to play at right-back in Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence.

Despite all the noise and controversy surrounding the situation, Real Madrid are not worried as Valverde’s rest had been previously planned and agreed upon between the player and the manager.

Now, Valverde will make his way back into the starting XI at the weekend and will not be deployed as a makeshift right-back by Alonso.

Instead, it is expected that the 27-year-old will start in his natural position in the centre of the park, hoping to put up a strong display after what has been a below-par start to the season, compared to his usual standards.