Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Los Blancos sweat over fitness of key defender ahead of El Clasico

As El Clásico draws near, both Real Madrid and Barcelona are anxiously monitoring the fitness of their top players, but for Los Blancos, the biggest headache lies in defence.

Injuries have continued to pile up at the worst possible time, threatening to derail Xabi Alonso’s preparations for one of the most anticipated matches of the season.

Real Madrid’s injury problems from last season have spilled into this campaign, and their defensive department is once again under pressure. With Antonio Rüdiger ruled out until December and David Alaba still short of full fitness, Alonso’s options at centre-back are thinning rapidly.

Ferland Mendy has only just returned to training after six months on the sidelines, while Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both battling muscle injuries in a race against time to be ready for the clash with Barcelona.

Now, there’s fresh concern over Dean Huijsen, who was forced to withdraw from international duty last week with muscle discomfort. Early optimism that he would return in time for next week’s match against Juventus has faded.

According to Diario AS, the club is no longer fully confident of his recovery before El Clásico, with sources admitting it will be “touch and go.” The injury—affecting his soleus muscle—is known for its high relapse risk, meaning Real Madrid will tread carefully to avoid aggravating the problem.

Huijsen’s absence from Sunday’s trip to Getafe has already been confirmed, with Raul Asencio expected to step in alongside Éder Militão.

Alternatives like David Alaba and Álvaro Carreras remain in consideration, but Alonso’s options are limited. If both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold fail to recover, Federico Valverde could once again be deployed at right-back—a role he’s reluctantly mastered over the past year.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Spain, Barcelona are facing their own injury concerns. Several key players are still on recovery programs, following the international break, making both sides’ lineups for El Clásico uncertain.

The Catalans are wary that a weakened Madrid defence could tilt the tactical balance in their favour—but they know better than to underestimate Alonso’s resilience in adversity.

With the countdown to El Clásico now in full swing, all eyes are on Real Madrid’s medical team and Huijsen’s fitness updates.