Real Madrid's key defender remains uncertain for the upcoming El Clasico against Barca

Before the highly anticipated El Clasico this weekend, Real Madrid continues to face headaches regarding their defensive lineup.

According to revelations from Marca, the chances of defender Dani Carvajal recovering in time to play against Barcelona remain uncertain, forcing coach Xabi Alonso to carefully weigh his final decision.

After nearly a year of injury treatment, Dani Carvajal was expected to make a strong comeback and help Real Madrid solve their right-back shortage. However, misfortune struck again as the 33-year-old suffered a minor injury, compelling Alonso to manage without a true right-back for the past three weeks.

According to Marca, although Carvajal is in the final phase of recovery, his participation in El Clasico is still "not guaranteed." Real Madrid's coaching staff fears risking him in such a high-intensity match could cause the injury to reoccur.

A bright spot for Real Madrid is Trent Alexander-Arnold, the new signing for the royal club, who has fully recovered and is expected to return in the midweek match against Juventus. The English star is anticipated to secure a starting spot in El Clasico, providing Alonso with some reassurance.

Alexander-Arnold's timely return also means Alonso does not need to take a risk with Carvajal. The Spanish tactician understands that a player just recovering and not at full fitness would struggle to handle the intense demands of a decisive title race match.

Most likely, Carvajal will only return in the match against Valencia, which takes place a week after El Clasico, when the pressure is lower and his condition is safer. This is considered a sensible approach to ensure Real Madrid's long-term stability rather than risking a short-term hazard.

Since taking charge of Real Madrid, coach Xabi Alonso has always emphasized balance and risk management. His decision to wait for Carvajal's full recovery shows a cautious yet reasonable direction, especially as the team continues to fiercely compete with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Unless something unexpected happens, Real Madrid fans will likely have to wait another week to see Carvajal back on the pitch in peak condition, rather than risking him in El Clasico.