Nothing’s Right for Real Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid might be flying high in La Liga, sitting atop the table with 30 points from 11 matches. But their recent 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League on November 4 has exposed one flaw: the Real Madrid right side.

Manager Xabi Alonso, who took charge in June, boasts a squad filled with stars who thrive on the left like Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Alvaro Carreras. Yet finding the right balance across the right-back, right-wing, and even right-sided midfield positions has become a real puzzle. Injuries, tactical tweaks, and players struggling to adapt have created a lot of uncertainty on that Real Madrid right side.

A Lucky Change

In El Clasico, Alonso had deployed midfielder Eduardo Camavinga on the right wing as an experiment. To everyone’s surprise, that move worked out spectacularly as Camavinga held his ground and contributed greatly both offensively and defensively. In just one match the Frenchman had impressed Xabi Alonso more than what Rodrygo had done on the wings all season. Looking to replicate that magic, Alonso started him again in the same position against Liverpool in their next fixture. That, however, went horribly wrong as Camavinga was unable to find the rhythm of the game, and was substituted in the 69th minute for Rodrygo.

The Winger Situation

Rodrygo too, when he came on, had little to no impact against Liverpool. This has been the story of the season for the Brazilian. Once viewed as Madrid’s breakout winger, he’s now been reduced to a rotational role under Alonso. Not the worst fate when you look at his peers, but far from ideal.

Then there’s Endrick, whose situation looks even bleaker. Signed in one of Madrid’s most high-profile youth transfers, the 19-year-old has barely featured this season. Despite having a decent debut season under Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso has completely shut him out this season without any explanation. The Brazilian could be a decent rotation option on the right wing when nothing else is working out, but Alonso doesn’t see it like that.

Brahim Díaz also falls into that category: very talented but never fully trusted nor consistent. He remains a depth option.

Injuries Galore

The only player who truly looked at home on the right this season was Franco Mastantuono, the young Argentine signed from River Plate over the summer. His performances down the flank were dynamic, offering width and creativity and he has provided great contributions down that flank. But his progress has been halted by a pubalgia injury. Before being sidelined, Mastantuono looked set to make the position his own. But he has now missed two key fixtures in this early part of the season.

As we move further down the flank, the injury woes continue. Club captain and veteran right-back Dani Carvajal is out long-term after another setback, just months after returning from a previous one. His replacement, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently endured a horror return to Anfield, is still adapting to Madrid’s system after his own return from injury.

Midfielder Federico Valverde, one of Madrid’s most dynamic players, has been forced to cover at right-back. While his energy and defensive discipline have helped, the role limits his natural influence in midfield. Hopefully it’s just a short-term fix but it again highlights the extent of Alonso’s right-side problem.

Tactical Dilemmas

Alonso has options, but none are ideal. He can continue experimenting with existing players by continuing to give minutes to Camavinga, Rodrygo, Brahim, or Endrick until one finds form, but that approach risks prolonging inconsistency. Or he could tweak his formation entirely, using inverted fullbacks, central overloads, or fluid rotations to hide the weakness on the right flank.

Long term, Real Madrid may need reinforcements in the January transfer window or next summer. But for Xabi Alonso, at this moment, nothing’s going right.