Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender ruled out of Spanish Super Cup final, youngster a major doubt
Real Madrid’s win over Valencia in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final came at a brutal cost, to say the very least. After 120 minutes of play followed by a penalty shootout, injuries emerged to as many as three first-team players.
And according to Spanish publication MARCA, medical tests are scheduled for the likes of Lucas Vazquez and Eder Militao to know the extent of the troubles. Between the two, the former seems to have picked up an ankle sprain and is now ruled out of the final.
Meanwhile, a certain Eduardo Camavinga suffered a blow to his knee as well and according to the aforementioned outlet, the team is growing increasingly worried after the first examination of the midfielder.
Although the seriousness of his issue is lesser than Vazquez, the official word is yet to arrive.
Speaking about the initial prognosis, manager Carlo Ancelotti mentioned after the game that although Militao will be fine ahead of the final, injuries to Vazquez and Cavaminga are pretty serious.
“Camavinga had a knock on his knee, Lucas Vazquez sprained his ankle and Militao felt dizzy. Militao is fine because I’ve spoken to him. We have to evaluate Camavinga and Lucas Vázquez seems to have the most serious injury,” said the manager.
Interestingly for Ancelotti, even if Vazquez is ruled out, he will have both of his regular full-backs in Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy available for selection as the duo did not start against Valencia, having been dealing with their fitness issues, although they were forced to come on in the game.
As far as Militao is concerned, the Brazilian was left shaken after the ball hit straight to his face. To know the severity, he will undergo neurological tests today.
Apart from Militao, Camavinga and Vazquez, midfielder Federico Valverde is also understood to have picked up knocks on Wednesday, but that is unlikely to hinder his availability for the final on Sunday.
It must be remembered that Madrid travelled to Saudi Arabia without David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni, who are suffering from muscular injuries. On the other hand, Alvaro Odriozola is absent as well.
Overall, the only major issue Ancelotti has at the moment concerns defence and pretty much the midfield.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
