Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender’s return from injury does not have a fixed date – report
Real Madrid star David Alaba has endured a disappointing start to 2023. The Austrian defender has missed a chunk of matches since the turn of the year due to a muscle problem.
The player had returned to training about a fortnight ago, but he suffered an injury relapse just before Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey derby against Atletico Madrid. He has since been missing in action.
A recent report from MARCA has offered an update on Alaba’s fitness. It appears the former Bayern Munich superstar has worked in the gym. He has worked alone on the gross as well, but a specific return date is not yet known.
Regarded as one of Real Madrid’s defensive lynchpins, Alaba has missed the last three league matches for Los Blancos. He has also missed all the Copa del Rey matches so far, including the most recent encounter against Atletico Madrid.
Alaba’s continued absence has hit Real Madrid hard. Especially with left-back Ferland Mendy also out injured, coach Carlo Ancelotti has been forced to deploy Eduardo Camavinga in the full-back position.
The central defensive area has also been an issue, with the club overly relying on the services of Eder Militao.
Alaba’s absence could hurt Real Madrid more in the coming weeks, as the Whites brace themselves for a tough run of fixtures in February. The club are indeed set for tight encounters against Valencia, Mallorca, Elche and the UEFA Champions League encounter against Liverpool.
Alaba has been confirmed to be out in the upcoming game against Valencia. But it will be interesting to see how the Austrian international recovers in the coming days and when he is ready to return.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
