Alvaro Carreras Shows Promise, Needs More Maturity

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Alvaro Carreras Shows Promise, Needs More Maturity

Real Madrid has faced a challenging series of matchups in recent weeks. Following a dominant 4-0 victory over Valencia, their sixth consecutive win, the team stumbled against Liverpool, losing 1-0. Two consecutive draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche compounded their difficulties, although a thrilling 4-3 victory over Olympiacos, driven by a remarkable performance from Kylian Mbappé, offered a brief respite.

However, Los Blancos hit another setback as they drew against relegation-threatened Girona. This was followed by a promising 3-0 win over Athletic Club, thanks to Mbappé’s brace and a goal from Eduardo Camavinga. Unfortunately, a recent match against Celta de Vigo ended in disappointment. Despite dominating the game, Real Madrid could not find the back of the net. Celta capitalized after halftime, with Williot Swedberg scoring the decisive goal.

Álvaro Carreras’ Role and Recent Performance

During this match, Fran García received a second yellow card, which forced Álvaro Carreras into an unfamiliar hybrid role between left back and center back. Carreras’s match took a turn for the worse when he was sent off in extra time after a confrontation with the referee. Swedberg completed his brace, marking Celta’s first victory at the Santiago Bernabéu in 19 years.

Real Madrid’s left back situation has been tumultuous recently. They have phased out Ferland Mendy, who has struggled with injuries. New manager Xabi Alonso turned to García during their run to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semifinal. Following their elimination from the tournament, Real Madrid signed Carreras from Benfica for €50 million on a six-year contract. Carreras, a former academy player from 2017 to 2020, has made an impact with one goal and one assist across 19 appearances.

Future Outlook for Álvaro Carreras

Spanish football journalist Sid Lowe recently predicted that Carreras might become Spain’s starting left back in the future. However, the upcoming World Cup may come too soon for him due to strong competition from established players like Marc Cucurella and Alejandro Balde.

Carreras’s approach to the game has received praise, though recent performances against Atlético Madrid and Liverpool raised concerns. Despite not standing out in typical superstar traits—like speed or powerful crosses—he consistently makes effective decisions and demonstrates good positional awareness.

2025 Achievements and National Team Aspirations

This year has been a significant one for Carreras. He won his first senior trophy with the Taça da Liga and was named to the Liga Portugal Team of the Season. Despite these milestones, he has yet to receive a call-up to the senior Spanish team, having previously represented Spain at U19 and U21 levels.

Spain’s national team, under manager Luís de la Fuente, continues to excel, winning five consecutive matches with a combined score of 19-0. They are preparing for the upcoming World Cup, having learned their group opponents in Washington D.C.

As Real Madrid looks ahead, the absence of Carreras and García due to suspensions presents a challenge for manager Xabi Alonso. The upcoming matches against Deportivo Alavés and Manchester City will be crucial for the team’s recovery and for Carreras to demonstrate his capabilities as a reliable left back.