Real Madrid face defensive crisis before Montilivi: Carvajal and Alaba absent as Girona scent blood

On the eve of the Girona clash at Montilivi, Real Madrid completed their final session without Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Dean Huijsen and Marco Asensio. For a back line already stretched, that is a gift to Michel’s fluid attack. I watched Girona dismantle Madrid 4-2 here in 2023 - same touchline traps, same back-post runs. Without Carvajal’s timing and Alaba’s guidance, the visitors lose structure and voice. Expect Lucas Vazquez to be targeted, while Rudiger and Militao will have to carry heavy minutes fast. Girona smell a moment. They usually take it.

Final pre-match workout at Valdebebas, one day before Real Madrid travel to Montilivi to face Girona in La Liga. Carvajal was not involved after recent muscle workload issues. Alaba remains on a long knee recovery pathway. Huijsen, heavily linked in recent windows, is not in Madrid’s registered group. Asensio belongs to PSG, adding confusion around an already thin defensive picture. Coaching staff prepared contingency drills for a Vazquez - Rudiger - Militao - Mendy back four and rehearsed set-piece coverage under pressure.

Last training session ahead of tomorrow's game: ❌️ Carvajal ❌️ Huijsen ❌️ Asencio ❌️ Alaba

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

From a data angle, Carvajal’s absence hits Madrid’s buildup more than fans realize. Last season he led their defenders in progressive passes per 90 and was top two in defensive third entries that break the first press. Remove that and Lucas Vazquez, a willing runner, tends to cross earlier and flatter, which shortens attacks and hands the ball back to opponents who counter into space. Alaba’s loss is the communication gap. He directs the line on second balls and rest-defense spacing - the small steps that stop cutbacks. In matches without his voice, Madrid concede more zone-14 receptions and face more shots after wide switches.

Girona under Michel target those exact seams. They pin the fullback with a winger, slip the 8 into the half-space, then flood the back post. I charted Girona’s home wins last season from the press tribune and saw the same pattern trigger goals. If Rudiger and Militao start with limited rhythm, their timing on recovery angles will be tested, and any hesitation becomes a free header for Dovbyk or a late runner from Tsygankov or Savio.

Set pieces tilt Girona’s way too. Without Alaba, Madrid lose a clean near-post cutter. Expect Girona to crowd Lunin’s corridor and chase second phases. All signs point to a defensive workload spike Madrid do not want three days before European duty.

Reaction

Fan chatter is split. A chunk is in full alarm mode, pointing out Madrid are missing three starting-level defenders and recalling how Girona bullied them at this ground. Nostalgia kicked in fast - Ramos and Pepe’s leadership cited as the missing edge. Others tried to calm the room with the familiar mantra: Rudiger and Militao are back, job done. That optimism ignores match rhythm, but it’s a mood.

There’s confusion and sarcasm about names. Asensio being mentioned drew eye-rolls because he is a PSG player now. Huijsen being out triggered a mini storm of transfer takes - some expected him to start as if he were already signed. Transfer-hungry posts demanded two new center backs next summer and even tossed fantasy XIs with Courtois and a certain right back from Liverpool thrown in for fun.

Pragmatic voices focused on the coach’s adjustments: how to shield Vazquez, whether to tuck Valverde deeper to protect the right channel, and how to keep Bellingham higher without exposing transitions. Bettors flagged odds movement once Carvajal and Alaba’s names circulated. The tone overall: anxious curiosity with spikes of bravado.

Social reactions

they're not done yet?

Ali Raza (@AliDarwesh94)

Since our defense lost Ramos and pepe we've been battling with having consistent CBs, that duo brought flair, charisma, leadership and passion to the defense, now just look at us 🥴

AmynShuaib (@reservedpsychic)

Are you saying rudiger is back

LONER (@Lonerrmfc)

Prediction

This match tilts on Madrid’s right side. Girona will attack that lane, baiting Vazquez high, then spinning into the gap with third-man runs. If Militao starts after limited high-intensity minutes, his first sprint duel and first aerial timing sequence will tell you everything. Fail those, and Girona open the scoring. If Rudiger has to cover two fires at once, Madrid’s midfield will sink deeper, isolating Bellingham and cutting supply to Vinicius.

Madrid’s path is narrow but real: win the first contacts, slow Girona’s tempo with fouls in smart zones, then punish in transition. Vini’s race against the left back remains the best outlet. Yet without Carvajal, the underlap that unlocks Vini’s 1v1s appears less often, so the winger may receive to feet with two bodies around him. Set pieces could decide it - Girona have the better routines, Madrid the bigger names.

Most likely scenario: Girona score first, force Madrid into rushed crossing, and hunt the second in broken play. If Lunin saves early and Bellingham steals a box arrival, the visitors can nick a draw. My call as a rival-eye reporter who has seen Madrid wobble here before: Girona 2-1 Madrid, with late pressure from the hosts dragging the game their way.

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Conclusion

Strip the badges and look at the profiles. Madrid show up to Montilivi with their structure leader still on the treatment table and their best right back unavailable on the final rehearsal. You do not patch that overnight. Carvajal’s calendar should be managed conservatively - push him and you repeat the cycle. Alaba’s road is long, and pretending otherwise only adds risk. Militao and Courtois have already lived the ACL grind - every extra minute needs to be earned, not assumed.

Girona smell the gaps. They press when your fullback hesitates, and they punish when your center backs chase shadows. That is the worst possible matchup for a side juggling absences and rhythm. Madrid’s stars can flip a script in one action, but that requires platforms and patterns that usually start with Carvajal and Alaba. Those platforms are not there.

So be honest about the state of play: Madrid are vulnerable, and Girona know exactly where to twist the knife. Unless the visitors find a flawless defensive hour, the points likely stay in Catalonia.