Real Madrid's defensive crisis deepened on Tuesday as David Alaba suffered a thigh injury, adding to manager Carlo Ancelotti's mounting concerns ahead of crucial fixtures, including the Madrid derby and Champions League playoff against Manchester City.
According to Real Madrid's medical services, Alaba has been diagnosed with an adductor muscle injury in his left leg. The Austrian defender had only recently returned to action following a lengthy absence due to an ACL injury sustained in December 2023, making substitute appearances in LaLiga matches against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid last month.
The timing couldn't be worse for Los Blancos, as fellow center-back Antonio Rüdiger was sidelined with a hamstring injury during Saturday's match. With Éder Militão also out long-term due to an ACL injury, Ancelotti's defensive options have been severely limited. The Italian coach now must rely on midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and 21-year-old Raúl Asencio to fill the void in central defense.
Real Madrid face a challenging schedule in the coming weeks, beginning with a Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Leganés on Wednesday, followed by a crucial derby match against Atletico Madrid on Saturday. The pressure intensifies with a Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg at Manchester City on February 11, before traveling to Osasuna in LaLiga and hosting City at the Bernabéu on February 19.
The defensive crisis has been exacerbated by the club's decision to enter the season with only three senior center-backs following Nacho Fernandez's departure last summer. Club captain and right-back Dani Carvajal's absence until summer due to a knee injury further compounds the team's defensive woes. Despite these challenges, Madrid opted not to strengthen their defensive line during the January transfer window, after an initial approach for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold was rejected.
The situation has forced Ancelotti to adapt, with Tchouaméni frequently deputizing in central defense, while young Asencio has gained valuable experience with 10 LaLiga appearances and four Champions League outings. As the season enters a crucial phase, Real Madrid's ability to navigate this defensive crisis may prove decisive in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
