Article by Adrian Duţă – Published on Thursday, 08 January 2026, 23:00 / Updated on Thursday, 08 January 2026 23:03
Xabi Alonso, his coach real madridmade a stunning decision in the 69th minute of the derby with Ateltico Madridfrom the semi-final of the Spanish Supercup, which ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of “los blancos”.
It was 2-1 to Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia and Ateltico were putting pressure on the defense of Xabi Alonso's team. With more than 20 minutes left of regulation time, the Spanish coach decided to take out both starting center backs and send two left backs in their place!
Xabi Alonso, stunning decision during the Atletico – Real Madrid derby
Furious after the opportunities created by Simeone's students, Alonso took off Rudiger and Raul Asencio in the 69th minute. He put Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy in their place. There was already a left back in the field, Alvaro Carreras.
Thus, Real Madrid played until the end against Atletico with 3 left backs at the same time, without a central defender and without a right defender, with the midfielder Federico Valverde being distributed on the right of the defense, an emergency solution.
How did Alonso use the 3 left backs on the pitch at the same time? Alvaro Carreras played central defender, alongside Tchouameni, central midfielder by profession.
Ferland Mendy was sent to his position, left back. And Fran Garcia also played on the left, but extreme. Xabi Alonso's decision was all the more surprising as he had defenders Dean Huijsen and David Alaba on the bench, as well as Dani Carvajal, right back.
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How Real Madrid's defensive line looked in the last 28 minutes of the match against Atletico: Courtois – Valverde, Tchouameni, Carreras, Ferland Mendy.
With the improvised defense, Real Madrid were crowded into their own box late in the game. Atletico missed huge chances but failed to find the back of the net to make it 2-2, so Xabi Alonso's side will play with the trophy on the table against Barcelona.
