Real Madrid’s 2–1 win over Marseille to kick-off their 2025–26 Champions League campaign was overshadowed by situations regarding their top-choice right backs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off the pitch five minutes in with an apparent hamstring injury that will now sideline him for a considerable period of time. Los Blancos were well equipped to handle the England international’s absence, with club legend Dani Carvajal ready to step-up, or so they thought.
Carvajal replaced the injured Alexander-Arnold but then, deep into the game, he was shown a straight red-card for an altercation with Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.






