India, Sept. 17 -- There were high hopes in the Real Madrid fan base when their former star, Xabi Alonso, joined the team as manager ahead of the current season. However, as the season is taking shape, it is turning out to be a cautionary tale for the Los Blancos.

The first match of Madrid's European campaign told a blunt story. They trailed at home to Marseille, lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury inside the first five minutes, and finished with ten men after Dani Carvajal was sent off. In the end, it turned out to be a narrow escape for the Spanish giants of two Kylian Mbappe penalties. It was a win, but felt more like a warning.

With TAA awaiting scan results of his latest hamstring issue and Carvajal facing the sanction, the lack ...