Real Madrid's season continues to take twists and turns and the latest saw them suffer a shock 2-1 defeat to Osasuna. The chance to take a five-point lead over Barcelona in the La Liga title race was blown on a grim night at El Sadar.
Defensive calamity were on display throughout the loss and surely told Madrid all they needed to know about Dani Carvajal's future. The Spanish defender was handed a rare start amid struggling for regular game time under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Carvajal's contract expires at the end of the season and there are doubts growing over him staying put at the Bernabeu. He failed to make the most of his opportunity against Osasuna and was subbed off in the 64th minute.
Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid: Carvajal stutters
The main issue Carvajal had in the Osasuna loss was trying to deal with pacey winger Victor Munoz. The 34-year-old struggled to contain the Spaniard and it forced Federico Valverde to drop back and help out.
Carvajal was dribbled past twice, won three of five ground duels and none of his two aerial duels. He looked defeated trying to nullify the threat posed by Munoz.
Arbeloa has preferred Alexander-Arnold over the Spaniard in recent games. His performance tonight shows why that is as he looked off the pace.
Osasuna's win came courtesy of an Ante Budimir penalty and Raul Garcia's late winner. Carvajal wasn't on the pitch when Garcia scored and his fellow defenders were poor in their attempts to prevent a late defeat.
Time for Dani to go
Carvajal has been a fine servant for Madrid since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013. In fact, he will go down as one of the greatest defenders in the club's history.
His goal in the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final is perhaps the highlight of his incredible career at the Bernabeu. He's made 441 appearances, winning the European title six times and the La Liga title four times.
Unfortunately, the time has come for Carvajal to bid farewell to Los Blancos when his contract expires. The team needs to move in a new direction and the focus should be on a younger profile competing with Alexander-Arnold for a starting berth at right-back.
Carvajal has made just 13 appearances this season and spent plenty of Arbeloa's tenure on the bench. A potential move to the MLS or the Saudi Pro League could be a possibility.