Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender taken off with an injury against Liverpool
Having made a disastrous start to their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Liverpool, Real Madrid have been dealt with an injury setback as David Alaba has been subbed off in the first period.
The 30-year-old started at left-back at Anfield and looked extremely uncomfortable against Mohamed Salah in the opening exchanges.
25 minutes into the first period, with the scoreline at 2-1 in favour of Liverpool, Alaba went down on the pitch and after taking a look at the Austrian international, the medical staff immediately called for a change.
Carlo Ancelotti replaced the former Bayern Munich ace with veteran utility man Nacho Fernandez.
As for Alaba, the veteran defender has had fitness problems this season and has already missed seven matches earlier this year due to a muscle injury.
In all, the 30-year-old has played 29 matches across all competitions for Los Blancos this term, scoring two goals and setting up three more. However, his form has appeared to have taken a dip in comparison to his debut campaign in 2021/22.
Real Madrid will be hoping that the latest injury is not something serious and that Alaba is able to make a quick recovery, especially at a time when crucial fixtures are lying ahead of the team week after week.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
