Real Madrid clash with rivals Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final on Thursday (January 8th) and there is growing talk of Xabi Alonso's job being on the line. A difficult spell in charge thus far at the Bernabeu has led to suggestions the Spaniard could be dismissed if he fails to win or impress in the Spanish Super Cup.
That's why it's vital Alonso gets his team right against Diego Simeone's Atleti who bested Los Blancos earlier this season. A 5-2 defeat in September was a massive setback and was one of many low points for the team in 2025.
Madrid started the new year off in style, beating Real Betis 5-1 at the Bernabeu thanks to a hat-trick from Gonzalo Garcia. Alonso was without Kylian Mbappe for that win and will have to try and doesn't have the French star to call upon as he tries to guide his troops to the Supercopa final.
Real Madrid team vs Atletico Madrid 'revealed'
Alonso is set to keep faith with the team that beat Betis, according to reports. Marca (via The Madrid Zone) claims that he is going with an unchanged starting lineup against Atleti, which means Gonzalo has a chance to build on his hat-trick heroics in the Madrid derby.
Thibaut Courtois will start in goal, with Federico Valverde, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras in defence. Asencio was also on target in the win against Betis and put in a fine display.
Alonso will stick with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield, meaning Arda Guler takes his place on the bench again. The Turkish midfielder came on last weekend but seems to have lost the manager's trust as a starter.
Jude Bellingham will play just ahead of Camavinga and Tchouameni and try and break his goalscoring duck in the Madrid derby. He has yet to find the back of the net in eight meetings with Los Colchoneros.
Vinicius Junior is under pressure to get back to his best although Alonso has backed him to do so. The Brazilian is set to start on the left wing and Simeone has already put a plan in place to try and keep him quiet.
Rodrygo will be on the right and Gonzalo up top as the focal point of Alonso's attack. The Spanish youngster will be eager to keep the goalscoring momentum going and there'd be no better way to do so than in Saudi Arabia.
Bellingham knows he and Alonso's attackers need to step up
Mbappe's injury came on New Year's Eve and was the worst way to start 2026 given how important he's been this season. But in his absence Alonso has some of the best attacking talent in Europe including Bellingham who he is using in deeper role than his time under Carlo Ancelotti.
Bellingham touched on Mbappe's absence by acknowledging the need for himself and others to come to the fore. He told reporters (via Madrid Universal):
"In the absence of Kylian Mbappé, players like me, Vini, Rodrygo and Gonzalo Garcia have to take a step forward."
Bellingham has managed five goals and four assists in 21 games across competitions this season. He started the campaign recovering from shoulder surgery but has put in some excellent performances.
The English midfielder suggested Alonso is molding him into a 'complete midfielder' and reckons he "might enjoy it a little more." He could be a difference maker against Atleti if he can come up with one of his dominant displays seen since arriving back in 2023.