Xabi Alonso set to bench Real Madrid prodigy against Real Sociedad – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has planned to rotate his team against Real Sociedad for a while now, especially given that many of his players will be returning after a long travel back from their national team camps.

Factoring that in, it is clear that players who play for South American federations will be subject to higher caution. After all, they play relatively late into the hiatus and have a far longer journey back to the Spanish capital upon completion of their duty.

As relayed by Defensa Central, Xabi Alonso is specifically cautious about Franco Mastantuono who has started for Los Blancos in recent games but has also had action for the Argentine national team.

Rotating the youngster

The Spanish outlet bring to light that Mastantuono will not be a starter against Real Sociedad as the manager wishes to avoid him experiencing fatigue.

After all, he is planning rotations across the field and the youngster’s position is no different.

Mastantuono to be benched vs Sociedad? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

One of Rodrygo or Brahim Diaz will replace the teenage phenom instead and the decision of which one of them will get the start could well depend on the latter’s involvement in his team’s final game of the break.

Given that Morocco’s qualification for the World Cup is sealed, Brahim may well feature in a minor capacity on the night and keep the door open to start against La Real.

Otherwise, Rodrygo is a viable option given that he did not link up with his national team, although he does prefer playing on the left wing.

Alonso’s decision has nothing to do with Mastantuono’s fitness or form and it is clear that the coach counts on him heavily.

Given his age, he does not want to pressurise the talent with a burden of minutes, especially when more senior players who deserve minutes are present in the dressing room.