Real Madrid News
Just in: Real Madrid winger set to miss Al Ahly clash due to muscular discomfort
In yet another injury blow for Real Madrid, Marco Asensio is set to miss the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final clash against Al Ahly later tonight due to muscular discomfort, reports Javi Herraez of Cadena SER.
Real Madrid have already been rocked by a host of injury problems as Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Eden Hazard, and Lucas Vazquez have all been ruled out of the contest against the Egyptian outfit.
There are some hopes that the likes of Courtois, Benzema, and Militao could return in time for the finals, provided Los Blancos make it through.
But ahead of the semi-final clash versus Al Ahly, Asensio has also picked up an injury and will not be taking the pitch today as per the report.
The 27-year-old had been gaining prominence in recent weeks in Carlo Ancelotti’s scheme of things. He had started each of the Merengues’ last two La Liga matches, scoring a goal against Valencia, although he was guilty of missing a penalty against Mallorca.
But considering that Real Madrid’s resources are already depleted heading into the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final, Asensio’s injury setback comes as another blow for Ancelotti & co.
Journalist Carlos Rodriguez has corroborated Javi Herraez’s claims, stating that Asensio will not be playing tonight. He states that the winger was playing with a bandage on his left thigh during training yesterday and did not have good feelings. And now, the winger is set to miss the Al Ahly clash.
Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, though, is reporting that club are saying that Asensio is ready to play today. So, it remains to be seen whether the winger does take the field. But for now, his involvement remains in doubt.
Update: MARCA, too, are reporting that Asensio is out of the match, while adding that the 27-year-old will undergo tests on Thursday to determine the extent of his injury.
With Asensio out, Real Madrid have just Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius Jr and Mariano Diaz as the senior attackers for the game tonight. However, Ancelotti can call upon Sergio Arribas, who has been in fine form for Castilla.
It has not been a great start to the year for Real Madrid. Barring a win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish giants have been humiliated by their arch-rivals Barcelona three times while dropping points carelessly in La Liga.
With 12 points dividing the two teams at the top of the table, there is not much hope for Real Madrid, in their bid to retain the title.
Unsurprisingly, this has led to immense pressure on Carlo Ancelotti, who is facing a fightback against those who want him gone at the end of the season.
In the midst of this chaos, a recent report from MARCA states that Real Madrid may once again endure a relatively calm transfer market in the coming summer.
It appears the club have no desire to make too many signings in the summer and are set to go into the 2023/24 campaign without any major reinforcements.
It is no doubt that Real Madrid’s poor performances have highlighted the team’s lack of depth and the need for reinforcements. Especially in the attacking and the defensive department, the club clearly need more depth as they often rely on their existing stars.
But it appears Real Madrid are calm about the issue and do not want to take any risks in the coming summer. Even before the start of the 2022/23 season, Aurelien Tchouameni was the club’s only notable signing, much to the disappointment of Ancelotti.
Recent reports have hinted that Real Madrid’s transfer activity would rely on who becomes the coach in the summer. But the club’s static approach to the market in 2023 could make sense, given the club that the Spanish giants are targeting star players such as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
All of the three aforementioned stars are either available or would be available on a cut-price deal in 2024. Erling Haaland, for one, has a special release clause in his contract that can be activated in 2024, even though Manchester City are actively looking to remove it.
Mbappe, too, has his contract at PSG expiring at the end of the 2023/24 season, so it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid go about their business in the coming summer.
Julius
February 8, 2023 at 8:31 pm
Eden Hazard having injuries during training…
What is wrong? No game time. Ancelotti should be using him.