Real Madrid has encountered a string of injuries throughout the current season, with setbacks beginning even before the start of the league campaign.
The unfortunate sequence commenced with Thibaut Courtois suffering a torn ACL during a training session, closely followed by Eder Militao encountering a similar fate on the first matchday.
The list of casualties expanded further as David Alaba succumbed to the same injury against Villarreal in December, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Compounding the defensive dilemma, Antonio Rudiger finds himself sidelined with a thigh injury, further stretching Carlo Ancelotti’s already thin resources. In response to the depleted backline, Ancelotti has turned to Aurelien Tchouameni, a midfielder secured for €100 million, to partner Nacho in central defense.
While Daniel Carvajal temporarily deputized in the center-back role for two matches, Ancelotti’s preference is to utilize him as a right-back whenever possible. Therefore, Tchouameni’s versatility assumes paramount importance as he fills the void in defense.
Recent concerns arose when Tchouameni was observed limping after the 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. However, the club swiftly moved to allay fears, asserting that the midfielder’s condition is currently deemed satisfactory, as reported by Guillermo Rai.
Madrid’s injury woes were exacerbated as Carvajal received a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal in injury time, rendering him ineligible for the upcoming clash against Sevilla.
With Rudiger’s recovery prospects uncertain, Madrid faces a defensive conundrum.
Although Carvajal was initially rested in favor of Lucas Vazquez for the recent fixture, he was eventually brought on in the 75th minute to bolster the defense.
Vazquez, who has made a notable impact this season with one goal and three assists in 19 La Liga appearances, is expected to retain his starting position against Sevilla.
Despite dropping points, Madrid still maintains an eight-point lead over Barcelona and a six-point advantage over Girona. However, Ancelotti’s side cannot afford to stumble in their pursuit of the league title.
With 13 league games remaining, Madrid must navigate the obstacles posed by injuries and maintain their consistency to secure silverware at the season’s conclusion.
