Real Madrid News
Just in: Real Madrid defender ruled out of Union Berlin and Atletico Madrid clashes
In yet another injury blow, Real Madrid are set to be without key defender Dani Carvajal for the UEFA Champions League clash against Union Berlin and the La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid, reports Arancha Rodriguez.
Real Madrid have been rocked by injury issues throughout the early phase of the 2023/24 season, with Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, Vinicius Jr, Dani Ceballos, and Ferland Mendy all missing games with injuries.
Ceballos and Mendy are back in the reckoning, but the Merengues have now been dealt a fresh injury blow.
Carvajal set to miss next two games
Indeed, Real Madrid are now set to be without in-form defender Dani Carvajal for the game against Union Berlin in the Champions League as per the report. He will also be unavailable for the derby against Atletico Madrid this weekend.
The veteran Spanish international is not in training today as he is dealing with a muscle injury, which comes as a big blow for Los Blancos.
The 31-year-old has been in good form for both club and country this season and had earned praise from manager Carlo Ancelotti after the recent win against Real Sociedad.
“The width is given to you by the two full-backs and that’s why he’s further forward when we have the ball. As the attackers are more inside we need the full-backs further forward,” the manager had said, stressing the importance of Carvajal.
Now, Real Madrid will have to cope without him for the important game against Union Berlin and possibly more, depending on his return.
Ancelotti has other options
With Carvajal ruled out, manager Ancelotti will likely turn to Lucas Vazquez to fill in at right-back against Union Berlin tomorrow night.
The manager also has youngster Vinicius Tobias as an option, with the young Brazilian training with the first team today instead of Castilla.
Captain Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger could also fill in at right-back for Real Madrid if required.
There just does not appear to be any respite from injuries for Real Madrid.
Just when it appeared that they were close to having their full squad – barring the two long-term absentees – the Merengues have been struck down by fresh injuries this week.
Arda Guler, who was on the cusp of being named in the squad for the Las Palmas clash, injured himself in training on Tuesday.
And now, during the game against Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid have lost key defender David Alaba to an injury.
Close to the 40th-minute mark, Alaba went down on the ground clutching his leg and appeared to be in quite a bit of discomfort.
Soon enough, the medical staff arrived to take a look at the Austrian and seconds later he was off the pitch and straight towards the tunnel.
Lucas Vazquez came on to replace the injured Alaba, with Nacho Fernandez moving into the centre-back position alongside Antonio Rudiger.
Alaba’s injury leaves Carlo Ancelotti with just two fit centre-backs in Rudiger and Nacho, which is set to be a matter of great concern.
The hope will be that Alaba’s condition is nothing serious and that he is able to mount a quick recovery.
