The Bernabéu welcomes Real Madrid today after 87 days without official action. At that time, the club went through a club world cup, a change on the couch, the departure of Luka Modrić and Lucas Vázquez and the arrival of four reinforcements: Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Álvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono. The Madrid – believers will keep a close eye on – and with a lot of excitement – while these new faces make their first performances under very different circumstances …
Huijsen, pulls the strings
The most expensive defender in the club's history ($ 63 million) is impressive since the club World Cup with his ability to play from the back, both short and long. In just two months, Dean Huijsen has become one of the most influential players in the construction of Madrid, often the one who touches the ball the most than 90 minutes. In Innsbruck he again surpassed 100 passes (109) with 94% accuracy. Defensively, however, there are still questions.
In the US he formed an uneven combination with Antonio Rüdeliger, and now he has to find his rhythm alongside the recurring Éder Militão. He looks like a defender for the centuries-but in Madrid, under the ruthless look of the Bernabéu, that is always a risky profession.
A test for Trent
Then there is Alexander-Arnold, who is confronted with the enormous influence and popularity of Dani Carvajal among Madrid fans. Press both the field and the stands. Nobody needs to explain the Bernabéu to him there has suffered enough with Liverpool: three visits like a red full-back, three defeats. Now in white it is slowly reducing. He bears the weight of a controversial, heavily fought signature and is currently sharper than Carvajal, but he will have to defend his reputation tooth and nail.
Carreras, built for the long term
The left back is another large investment in the Huijsen-Mal. A high fee ($ 54 million), but with the intention of anchoring the position for the following decade. Álvaro Carreras took a winding path – from the Academy from Madrid to Manchester, Granada and Lisbon – before he finally arrived at this determining moment.
After he has recorded in friendly matches against Leganés and WSG Tyrol, he will make his official Bernabéu debut tonight. The left place has long been a headache (Ferland Mendy's injuries, lack of trust in Fran García, improvised solutions with Eduardo Camavinga), and Carreras now seems the ideal antidote.
Mastantuono brings the tension
If there is one that is signed the Bernabéu, it is desperate to see, it is the young Argentinian. Huge expectation surrounds the left foot of a teenager who today marks his fifth day as a Madrid player. But Mastantuono has made the habit of skipping the usual steps for someone his age. He has a strong chance of getting minutes against Osasuna.
He will start on the couch, but with Jude Bellingham Absent and Rodrygo in Flux, he is in direct competition with Brahim Díaz, who looks for a temporary starting role. “Franco will adjust very quickly,” Xabi Alonso predicted yesterday. Not just words – he wants him on the field as quickly as possible.
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