Real Madrid received a much-needed lift on Friday as Dean Huijsen rejoined the squad in full training, putting him firmly in contention to be involved when Los Blancos travel to Mendizorroza to face Alavés on Sunday.
The defender has been sidelined since the clash with Elche after suffering a minor calf issue, and while the injury was never described as long-term, the timing could not have been worse for a Madrid side currently battling through one of the most severe defensive shortages of the season. His return to group work is the clearest sign yet that he is moving past the problem and could be ready to offer minutes immediately—either from the start or as an in-game option, depending on how he responds to the final sessions.
A thin back line that needs reinforcements—fast
Right now, Real Madrid’s defensive options have been stretched to the limit. Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger are the only natural senior centre-backs available, leaving the coaching staff with very little room for error, rotation, or match management. The injury list remains heavy, with Fran García, Álvaro Carreras, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy all unavailable.
That situation has forced Madrid into creative solutions, and the expectation is that Fede Valverde will once again be asked to help on the right side of the defensive line against Alavés—an emergency role he has handled before with trademark intensity and discipline. But as valuable as Valverde’s versatility is, Madrid’s staff know the risk: every improvised selection increases the physical load on key players and makes the team more vulnerable to small disruptions during the match.
That’s why Huijsen’s return matters. Even if he’s not immediately ready to play 90 minutes, simply having another defender available changes the entire matchday picture: it provides cover, allows for tactical flexibility, and reduces the pressure on Rüdiger and Asencio to carry the full responsibility again.
What Huijsen’s return could mean for the Alavés game
If Huijsen is declared fit, Madrid gain an option to either:
- Start him alongside one of the available centre-backs, keeping roles more natural across the line; or
- Use him from the bench, giving the staff a safety net if Madrid need to protect a lead, respond to an injury, or adjust shape late on.
Alavés away is rarely comfortable. The atmosphere at Mendizorroza can drag you into duels, second balls, and a physical rhythm that demands calm defenders and strong organisation. Madrid’s recent injury problems have made those basics harder to guarantee, so having Huijsen back—especially with his height and ability to compete—could be decisive in stabilising moments that have felt shaky in recent matches.
A moment to reset after “shaky” performances
Huijsen also returns at a key personal moment. His recent form has not been at the level he’ll demand from himself, and the next appearance feels like an opportunity to reset—simple defending, sharper positioning, quicker decisions, and a more controlled presence on the ball. With Madrid’s margin for error currently tiny, the best version of Huijsen is not the one trying to force the spectacular. It’s the one doing the fundamentals at a top level.
If he can respond positively—whether it’s 20 minutes or a full start—it won’t just help Madrid survive this injury storm. It could also help Huijsen re-establish momentum and push his way back into serious consideration as the squad begins to recover bodies in the weeks ahead.
For now, the headline is clear: Huijsen is back with the group, and Real Madrid finally have a timely defensive boost before a demanding away test.