Real Madrid is forced to a late repenting prior to their club World Cup semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain. England International Trent Alexander-Arnold has been removed from the squadron list and plays no role in the match in New Jersey.
Alexander-Arnold has steadily adapted to what Xabi Alonso has asked for him and has made important contributions in the last two games with his service to the attackers. Los Blancos, however, is forced to adjust both their form and their plans.
Like Diario As, Alexander-Arnold felt discomfort in his right leg on Tuesday during the last training session of Los Blancos before being confronted with PSG. Real Madrid has decided not to take any risks and Alexander-Arnold has been omitted from the team. It leaves Real Madrid without both new signs this summer, with Dean Huijsen also suspended for the competition.
The rearrangement at the back means that Fede Valverde will be right-back, repeating a role of last season, with Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal not considered sharp enough to start the game.
Alonso has chosen to start all three Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Gonzalo Garcia Torres for the game, suggesting that a switch from the back of the back to the 4-3-3 was used in their opening match against Al-Hilal. It was framed as a choice between Mbappe, recurring from illness, and Garcia, who is the Breakout star of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Alonso controls the trio without the ball.
Raul Asencio has replaced Huijsen as expected, handed over to Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham with midfield. Luis Enrique has replaced the suspended Willian Pacho by Lucas Beraldo and has restored Ousmane Dembele to the starting XI instead of Bradley Barcola.