- Real Madrid faces a growing injury crisis ahead of their trip to Leganes, with key players like Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois, Aurelien Tchouameni, and David Alaba all sidelined.
- Militao suffered an ACL tear for the second consecutive season, and full-back Lucas Vazquez and forward Rodrygo have also joined the injury list.
- Coach Carlo Ancelotti is forced to rely on youth academy players, such as Raul Asencio, to fill defensive gaps, with experienced defenders like Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Fran Garcia available.
- Courtois is expected to return against Leganes, while Vazquez may be fit for the upcoming Liverpool match. Alaba and Tchouameni remain uncertain due to ongoing recoveries.
- Real Madrid is second in La Liga with 27 points, six points behind Barcelona, who suffered a loss to Real Sociedad. Atletico Madrid is one point behind Real Madrid in third.
- Barcelona is also dealing with injury issues, notably missing Lamine Yamal for their upcoming match against Celta Vigo.
The international break provided Real Madrid with a crucial opportunity to accelerate the recovery of key players, but the team remains heavily depleted ahead of their trip to Leganes on Sunday. While the club secured a 4-0 victory over Osasuna two weeks ago, following heavy defeats to Barcelona (4-0) in La Liga and AC Milan (3-1) in the Champions League, the win came at a cost. Brazil centre-back Eder Militao suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear for the second consecutive season, joining a growing list of injured players that also includes full-back Lucas Vazquez and forward Rodrygo. Militao’s injury makes him the second Real Madrid player to suffer an ACL tear this season, after full-back Dani Carvajal.
In addition to Militao, the team is already missing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, and defender David Alaba. With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Fran Garcia the only experienced defenders available, coach Carlo Ancelotti is forced to turn to youth academy players to fill defensive gaps. The match against Leganes will be followed by a crucial Champions League tie against Liverpool just three days later, making the situation even more pressing. There is some hope, however, that Courtois, who is recovering from a muscle injury, could return for the Leganes match, while Vazquez, who is dealing with a thigh strain, may be fit for the Liverpool encounter. Alaba, who resumed training last week after recovering from an ACL injury, remains uncertain for Sunday’s match. Tchouameni, still weeks away from returning after an ankle sprain, could also be a key absentee for a while.
Ancelotti may need to rely on 21-year-old academy player Raul Asencio to partner Rudiger in central defense against Leganes, with this situation likely persisting until the transfer window opens in January. Despite these challenges, Ancelotti remains optimistic, stating that the team will continue to focus on recovering as many players as possible and reassess the situation in January. With 27 points, Real Madrid is currently second in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, who suffered a 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad before the international break. Barcelona is also facing injury issues, with star player Lamine Yamal sidelined with an ankle problem. Atletico Madrid, sitting just one point behind Real Madrid, will host lowly Alaves on Saturday, also dealing with its own injury concerns.
