The centre back is dealing with discomfort in one knee and could join Courtois as an unexpected absentee for the Champions League match against Olympiacos.
The morning has begun full of worrying developments for Xabi Alonso, whose preparations for the crucial Champions League clash against Olympiacos have been disrupted once again.
What initially seemed like a routine pre-match training session quickly turned into a source of concern when Dean Huijsen failed to appear alongside the rest of the squad. The young centre back, who had finished the league match against Elche with visible discomfort, is now dealing with persistent pain in one knee. The medical staff advised him to stop all activity and undergo further examinations in order to determine the origin and severity of the problem. As a result, he was unable to train and is now considered a serious doubt for the trip to Athens.
The timing could not be worse for Xabi Alonso, who only minutes earlier had been informed that Thibaut Courtois will also miss the match due to a bout of gastroenteritis. Losing the Belgian goalkeeper is already a significant blow, but the potential absence of Huijsen adds a new layer of urgency and anxiety. The defender has been one of the few reliable options in a back line ravaged by injuries. His versatility and physical presence made him a key component of Alonso’s plans for the Champions League fixture, especially given the intensity and physicality traditionally displayed by Olympiacos at home.
If Huijsen is ultimately ruled out, it would mark the second unexpected loss for Alonso within the same morning, deepening the selection crisis in central defence. The situation is particularly delicate because the Spanish coach is already operating with a dangerously thin group of centre backs. Éder Militão and David Alaba remain long-term absentees, both recovering from serious injuries. Antonio Rüdiger, meanwhile, has been sidelined for more than two months and has only recently returned to partial training. Although his progress has been positive, he is still far from match rhythm, making his potential involvement uncertain and risky.
This leaves Xabi Alonso with a single fully available centre back for the Olympiacos match: Asencio. The Spanish defender has been solid when called upon, but asking him to lead the back line away in Greece, in a high-pressure European fixture, is far from ideal. The real challenge lies in identifying who could partner him if Huijsen cannot play.
Even if Rüdiger is fit enough to be named in the squad, relying on him from the start would be a gamble. Without competitive minutes for over two months, the physical and mental demands of a Champions League knockout atmosphere could be overwhelming and potentially dangerous for a player just returning from injury. For that reason, Alonso is already evaluating alternative solutions.
One possibility is Aurelien Tchouaméni, who has experience playing as an emergency centre back earlier in his career. His tactical intelligence and physical strength make him a viable temporary option, although his absence in midfield would force further adjustments elsewhere. Another candidate is Carreras, who has been training regularly and knows the defensive structure well enough to slot in if needed. There is also the option of Ferland Mendy, who has been tested during training sessions as a central defender. However, the Frenchman, like Rüdiger, has spent a long period without competitive football, and starting him in such a demanding match could be too great a risk.
Given the shortage of senior defenders, Alonso may also consider turning to the academy. Real Madrid Castilla have two promising centre backs who could step in if absolutely necessary: Joan Martínez and Valdepeñas. Both players have been monitored closely by the first-team staff, and their recent performances at the youth level have been encouraging. Calling up one of them would allow Alonso to reinforce numbers in a position where depth is currently at crisis level. However, handing a starting role in a Champions League match to a player with no senior experience would be an enormous responsibility and a decision not taken lightly.
As the hours pass, the club is awaiting the results of Huijsen’s medical tests, which will determine whether Alonso must reshape his defensive plans entirely. The tension is growing within the coaching staff as the match approaches, with little time remaining to prepare tactical alternatives. What should have been a normal final training day before a decisive European tie has instead turned into a scramble to maintain defensive stability in the face of unexpected absences.
Xabi Alonso’s challenge now extends beyond tactics. He must manage uncertainty, motivate a group affected by injuries and illness, and maintain focus ahead of a match that could define the team’s European season. The coming updates on Huijsen’s condition will dictate whether the coach faces a manageable setback or a full-blown defensive emergency.