Mansion Sports – Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso made several significant adjustments to his squad in their 3-0 victory over Real Oviedo in La Liga. 

His decision to rotate the lineup brought surprising changes, with new faces being introduced across the defense, midfield, and attack.

Adjustments in Defense

Alonso included club captain Dani Carvajal and experienced defender Antonio Rüdiger as starters. They replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold and Éder Militão, offering a different dynamic to Los Blancos’ backline. 

The alteration provided stability and leadership, ensuring Madrid controlled the defensive area with composure.

Midfield and Forward Rotations

In midfield, Franco Mastantuono was handed his first start with the senior team, marking a major milestone in his young career.

Meanwhile, in attack, Rodrygo Goes returned to the starting lineup after missing the clash against Osasuna. This change meant Brahim Díaz and Vinícius Júnior began on the bench, although Vinícius later came on as a substitute and netted Madrid’s third goal.

Mbappé Shines While Rodrygo Makes an Impact

Kylian Mbappé once again stole the spotlight by scoring twice, one in each half, to propel Madrid to victory. 

However, Rodrygo’s return drew particular attention from the supporters. Alonso emphasized that the Brazilian forward remains an essential figure in his plans, firmly shutting down speculation about his potential departure.

Alonso Secures the Future of Rodrygo and Mastantuono

Alonso confirmed that Rodrygo will continue to be part of the squad and will not be sold, at least until the January transfer window. 

Similarly, Mastantuono has impressed the manager with his energy and seamless integration into the team, both on and off the pitch. His presence is viewed as a valuable addition to Madrid’s long-term project.

Real Madrid’s Attacking Flexibility

With Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler, Vinícius, Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Mastantuono all available, Alonso now enjoys a wealth of attacking options that complement one another. 

This level of flexibility is expected to be a major advantage as Madrid navigates a demanding fixture schedule throughout the season.

Upcoming Fixture Against Mallorca

Following their convincing win over Real Oviedo, Real Madrid will continue their La Liga campaign by hosting Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu on August 30. This match will serve as their final test before entering a challenging run of fixtures in September.