Real Madrid’s XI vs Rayo Vallecano confirmed: Courtois in goal, Valverde at RB, Asencio–Huijsen at CB

Dek: Xabi Alonso shuffles his pack at Vallecas with a new-look back line and Brahim joining Vinícius and Mbappé up front. Tchouaméni misses out through a hamstring injury. [1][2][3]

Key Takeaways

• Confirmed XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Güler, Bellingham; Brahim, Vinícius, Mbappé. [2]
• Injuries: Tchouaméni out with a left semitendinosus issue; Carvajal, Rüdiger and Mastantuono also unavailable. [3][5]
• Two notable changes: Raúl Asencio partners Dean Huijsen in central defense; Brahim Díaz starts in attack. [1][2]
• Context: Matchday 12 at Estadio de Vallecas on 9 Nov 2025 (16:15 CET / 15:15 UTC). [2]

Match/Context Essentials

Competition: LaLiga EA Sports — Matchday 12
Fixture: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid
Date/Time: Sunday, 9 November 2025 — 16:15 CET (Madrid) / 15:15 UTC [2]
Venue/City: Estadio de Vallecas, Madrid
Referee: TBC at time of publication
Broadcast (selected): DAZN LaLiga (Spain), ESPN Deportes / ESPN+ (USA) [2]

Real Madrid — Confirmed XI (4-3-3):
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Güler, Bellingham; Brahim, Vinícius, Mbappé. [2]

Unavailable (injury): Tchouaméni (left semitendinosus muscle), Carvajal, Rüdiger, Mastantuono. [3][5]

Rayo Vallecano — XI (as reported/updated): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarría; Pedro Díaz, Ciss; De Frutos, Isi, Álvaro García; Alemao. (TBC in some outlets at announcement time.) [2][4]

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Article Body

Real Madrid visit Vallecas on Matchday 12 with a starting lineup that underlines both Xabi Alonso’s flexibility and the squad’s depth. Los Blancos’ XI is now official, featuring Thibaut Courtois between the posts and Fede Valverde again tasked with right-back duties. At center-back, Raúl Asencio partners Dean Huijsen, while Álvaro Carreras continues at left-back. In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga anchors as the No. 6, flanked by Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham. The front line is the eye-catching trio of Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé. [2]

The balance of the side reflects necessity as much as design. Aurélien Tchouaméni is out after Real Madrid’s medical staff diagnosed a left semitendinosus muscle injury on 6 November 2025—“pending evolution”—following the league-phase trip to Anfield. That absence, combined with knocks to Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rüdiger (plus Mastantuono), trims Alonso’s options in the back line and holding midfield. [3][5] Even so, the XI retains a strong spine, with Camavinga stepping into the pivot and Bellingham continuing his box-to-box threat.

Spanish outlet El Español flagged Brahim and Asencio as the two standout inclusions for this game, aligning with late-morning reports elsewhere that anticipated a reshaped defense and a high-mobility front three at Vallecas. [1][4] The bet is clear: accelerate the press and transitions, then let Mbappé and Vinícius attack space while Brahim links pockets on the right.

Alonso emphasized the importance of rhythm heading into the international break, saying Madrid want to “maintain the tempo we’ve had in the league and finish well before the break.” The club also confirmed the injury list ahead of the trip—Carvajal, Rüdiger, Mastantuono, and Tchouaméni—setting the stage for another test of Madrid’s depth on the road. [5]

📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
🆚 @RayoVallecano
👉 @UnicajaBanco pic.twitter.com/B4IED4ECpl

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 9, 2025

Tactically, Valverde’s hybrid role at right-back gives Madrid an extra runner in the half-space without compromising rest defense; Huijsen’s aerial ability and aggression complement Asencio’s more measured positioning. On the left, Carreras’ willingness to push high could pin back Rayo’s winger, creating angled cut-back lanes for Bellingham’s late surges. Brahim’s start also hints at longer spells of combination play on the strong side, with Güler providing progression and disguise on the ball.

Rayo, for their part, turn Vallecas into a battle of second balls and quick wide switches. Expect Isi and Álvaro García to test Madrid’s full-backs early, with Pedro Díaz and Ciss ready to contest Camavinga around the pivot zone. Madrid’s clean buildup—especially the timing between Courtois, the center-backs, and Camavinga—will be vital to avoid getting trapped near the touchline.

Form-wise, Madrid arrived top of the table, and even after the narrow setback at Anfield, the domestic trend remains positive. With Mbappé in prolific form and Bellingham’s off-ball timing as sharp as ever, Madrid should generate enough threat if they control the first pass after regains. The flipside is set-play defending: with altered personnel, defending Lejeune and Alemao on dead balls demands concentration.

The headline tonight is less about who’s missing and more about how the XI fits together. If the Valverde–Brahim–Güler lane rotations click, Madrid can string pressure into chances. And if Camavinga handles the pivot traffic, it frees Bellingham to arrive late—often the difference in cagey games at Vallecas.

Bottom line: this is a strong, coherent XI under the circumstances—one built to press, transition, and punish space. Now they have to execute.

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FAQs

References

[1] El Español: “La alineación del Real Madrid contra el Rayo Vallecano…” (published 9 Nov 2025, 15:02h Madrid). EL ESPAÑOL
[2] Managing Madrid: “CONFIRMED lineups: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid, 2025 La Liga” (posted Nov 9, 2025, 13:56 UTC). Managing Madrid
[3] Real Madrid (official): “Parte médico de Tchouameni” (06 Nov 2025). Real Madrid CF | Web Oficial
[4] ESPN Deportes: “Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid: alineaciones” (updated today). ESPNdeportes.com
[5] Real Madrid (official): Match preview — “Aiming for victory before the international break” (lists unavailable players) (9 Nov 2025). Real Madrid CF | Web Oficial
[6] RTVE: “Tchouameni sufre una lesión muscular y podría estar de baja unas tres semanas” (6 Nov 2025). RTVE
[7] ESPN Deportes: “Tchouaméni, tres semanas de baja” (6 Nov 2025). ESPNdeportes.com