David Alaba Extended Recovery Period
Real Madrid‘s defensive woes seem to be increasing by the day as the recovery from injury of star defender David Alaba is not progressing as expected.
The Austrian international has been sidelined since last December due to a torn ACL in his left knee which was suffered during a match against Villarreal.
Initial hopes for his return in October or mid-November now appear overly optimistic, which has left the club concerned about its defensive lineup.
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Injury Woes Pile Up
The previous season saw Real Madrid grappling with numerous injuries particularly in their defensive ranks.
Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois were among the early candidates in the injury room, but now both have made their comebacks. While Alaba remains out of action for now.
The club has been forced to get creative with their defensive options, which is a situation that looks set to continue into the new season.
With Nacho departing the club, Rafa Marin moving to Napoli and Manchester United securing Leny Yoro, Real Madrid’s center-back options are getting thinner and thinner.
Carlo Ancelotti currently has just three fit centre-backs: Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Jesus Vallejo. Although Aurelien Tchouameni has filled in capably at the back, but his primary role is in midfield which highlights the team’s defensive vulnerability.
Need for Reinforcements
Real Madrid’s attacking options have been bolstered with signings like Kylian Mbappé and Endrick, but the defensive situation remains a pressing concern.
Alaba’s slow recovery has raised alarms within the club, prompting discussions about potential new signings to fortify the backline. The team is wary of repeating the challenges faced last season where injuries significantly impacted their campaign.
As the new season approaches, Real Madrid’s focus will be on solidifying their defense to avoid any repeat of last season’s struggles. The uncertainty surrounding Alaba’s return only adds to the urgency of finding a solution.