Flawless Record Continues Under Alonso
Real Madrid continues its impeccable start to the 2025-26 season under new manager Xabi Alonso, extending their perfect record with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over RCD Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, September 20. The win marks their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions, solidifying their position at the top of the La Liga table and handing a previously unbeaten Espanyol their first loss of the campaign.
The decisive moment came in the 22nd minute, courtesy of a spectacular long-range strike from defender Éder Militão. The Brazilian international unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that found the top corner, securing the three points for Los Blancos in a tightly contested match. The victory was achieved despite a growing list of defensive absences, with Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined through injury and Dean Huijsen serving a suspension.
Bellingham’s Return Creates Selection Dilemma
While the team celebrates its on-field success, manager Xabi Alonso faces a welcome but challenging selection dilemma. Star midfielder Jude Bellingham has made a swift return from injury, cutting his expected recovery time by a month. After being named as a substitute for the Espanyol clash, the 22-year-old Englishman is now expected to be in the starting lineup for the crucial Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid on September 27.
Bellingham’s reintroduction forces Alonso to make a difficult choice among his in-form midfielders and attackers. According to reports from digitaltrendstoday.com, the manager may have to sacrifice one of his key performers to accommodate the returning star. The decision presents several possibilities:
- Benching an advanced midfielder like Arda Güler, who has been influential but is still adapting to a new role.
- Altering the formation to include Bellingham, which could come at the expense of a right-winger, a position currently contested by teenager Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Diaz.
The squad has been further bolstered by the return of Eduardo Camavinga and young striker Endrick from their respective injuries, providing Alonso with a wealth of options as the team navigates a busy schedule of domestic and Champions League fixtures.
Asencio Starts Amidst Serious Legal Allegations
The club’s on-pitch triumphs have been shadowed by serious off-field news concerning defender Raúl Asencio. On Thursday, September 18, judicial authorities announced that Asencio, along with three former Real Madrid youth players, will stand trial in connection with the alleged filming and distribution of an explicit video involving two women, one of whom was a minor at the time of the alleged incident in June 2023.
According to court documents, Asencio is accused of two “offences against privacy,” with bail set at €15,000. The other three defendants face more severe charges, including distribution of child pornography. Asencio has stated he was not involved in the recording or distribution of the videos. Despite the gravity of the allegations and the news breaking just two days prior, Asencio was named in the starting lineup and played the full match against Espanyol.
As Real Madrid prepares for the upcoming derby, the club finds itself navigating a period of contrasts: dominant and flawless on the pitch with a strengthening squad, yet simultaneously managing the significant legal controversy surrounding one of its first-team players.
