Real Madrid’s defensive line is facing a myriad of challenges as the club navigates through a crucial phase of the season. On Tuesday, the team disclosed that David Alaba has incurred a thigh injury, compounding the difficulties that coach Carlo Ancelotti must address ahead of a series of significant fixtures. Alaba had only recently returned to active play after a protracted recovery from an ACL injury that sidelined him since December 2023. His absence impacts a defense already reeling from the news of Antonio Rüdiger’s recent hamstring injury and Éder Militão’s long-term unavailability due to his own ACL tear. With the Madrid derby and an essential Champions League playoff against Manchester City looming, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The injury to Alaba further constricts Ancelotti’s options at the back, leaving midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and promising young talent Raúl Asencio as the coach’s only remaining choices for central defense. The club’s current predicaments highlight a miscalculation in squad depth, especially in the context of their challenging fixture schedule. Only three first-choice center-backs were retained before the start of the season—Rüdiger, Militão, and Alaba—following Nacho Fernández’s departure in the summer transfer window. Now that two of these defenders are confirmed out and Alaba’s availability remains uncertain, Madrid’s defensive integrity is in jeopardy.
A Tight Schedule Ahead
The club faces an intense series of matches in the coming weeks that will test the limits of their squad. The Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Leganés is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by the high-stakes LaLiga derby against Atlético Madrid on Saturday. Shortly after, a pivotal Champions League battle awaits against Manchester City, set for February 11, with the return leg at Santiago Bernabéu on February 19. Given these circumstances, the burden on remaining defenders will be heavier, and any further injuries could spell disaster for an already beleaguered backline.
The ramifications of this defensive plight extend beyond simply the present matches; they cast a shadow over the club’s aspirations for both domestic and European glory. The absence of key players like club captain Dani Carvajal, who is also recovering from a severe knee injury, further that sense of vulnerability. With the transfer market closed for January, Madrid’s failure to secure defensive reinforcements after a failed pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold has proven costly. Relying on inexperienced players like Asencio, who has made only ten LaLiga appearances this season, places tremendous pressure on the young defender as he steps into a role many would find daunting, especially in high-stakes matches.
Moving forward, the focus must shift on finding quick and effective solutions to mitigate the growing defensive crisis. Whether Ancelotti chooses to continue deploying Tchouaméni in a central defensive role or is compelled to adapt his formation to account for the available personnel will be pivotal. Building resilience within the defense and instilling confidence in younger players will be crucial as Real Madrid seeks to navigate through this tumultuous period and emerge stronger for the challenges ahead.