Real Madrid finds itself in a precarious position, battling a significant injury crisis that has depleted its squad depth. The club is currently without six key players due to various ailments, a figure that mirrors the injury count at the same stage last season [1]. This situation is further compounded by numerous international call-ups, leaving coach José Mourinho with a skeleton crew for training sessions. Among the high-profile absentees are Kylian Mbappé, who is expected to be sidelined for approximately two weeks [2], Rodrygo, and Ferland Mendy, all of whom are currently injured [1]. Federico Valverde is also recovering from a grade 3 sprain, adding to the midfield woes [3]. The absence of these crucial players, combined with Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Álvaro Carreras, and Aurélien Tchouaméni being away on international duty, presents a formidable challenge for the team’s upcoming fixtures [3].
Recovery and Internal Matters
Despite the extensive injury list, there are some positive developments on the recovery front. Éder Militão, who was previously sidelined, has resumed running with his teammates, indicating significant progress in his rehabilitation [4]. Similarly, Rodrygo has taken a crucial step in his recovery from a knee injury, having been seen touching a ball for the first time since March, with his return anticipated between December and January [4]. Ferland Mendy is also progressing well in his recovery and has been observed touching a ball [4]. However, the club is also dealing with internal disciplinary issues, as Jorge Cestero of Real Madrid Castilla has been suspended indefinitely following a disagreement with coach Julián López de Lerma [5]. This suspension led to Cestero’s exclusion from the squad for the match against Alcorcón. In other news, Florentino Pérez, Real Madrid’s president, is scheduled for a conciliation hearing on November 25th, stemming from a defamation lawsuit initiated by FC Barcelona [6].
Player Performance and Managerial Trust
Individual player performances and managerial trust are also under scrutiny. Eduardo Camavinga has openly acknowledged the need for greater consistency and fewer errors in his game, as he has struggled to secure a regular starting spot under José Mourinho [7]. Mourinho appears to place more trust in Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the midfield, with Camavinga notably absent from the bench in a recent match against Elche [7]. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham continues to impress, maintaining his high level of performance from the World Cup into the Nations League, even creating five goal-scoring opportunities in a recent match against Spain [8]. Coach Thomas Tuchel is considering Bellingham’s participation in the next match, prioritizing his fitness. In the ongoing Ballon d’Or campaign, Kylian Mbappé has highlighted his achievements, including being the all-time top scorer in the World Cup, and has received public support from Real Madrid coach José Mourinho for the award [9].
What it means
Real Madrid currently sits in 4th place in La Liga with 15 points from seven matches, having secured five wins and two losses. The team has scored 18 goals and conceded 8. Recent form shows a mixed bag of results, with two losses in their last five league games, including a 1-2 defeat to Club Atlético de Madrid and a 0-1 loss to Real Betis Balompié. This inconsistent form, coupled with the extensive injury list and international absences, suggests a challenging period ahead for the squad. The upcoming fixtures will test the depth and resilience of the team, particularly given the reliance on players like Vinicius Junior and Endrick, who are expected to play. The return of key players like Éder Militão and Rodrygo in the coming months will be crucial for the team’s long-term aspirations, but the immediate future demands a strong performance from the available squad members to maintain their position in the league and European competitions.
Sources
- Marca: Un crisis interminable marca.com ↩
- Sky Sports: Papers: Man Utd keeping close eye on Barca left-back Balde skysports.com ↩
- Marca: El Madrid vuelve al trabajo con Militao como buena nueva marca.com ↩
- Marca: Rodrygo, cada vez más cerca marca.com ↩
- Marca: Cestero, castigado hasta nueva orden marca.com ↩
- Marca: El Barça lleva a Florentino a los juzgados: fijado el acto de conciliación marca.com ↩
- Marca: Camavinga hace autocrítica marca.com ↩
- Marca: Tuchel: "Es mejor que Bellingham juegue con algo de rabia" marca.com ↩
- Marca: El cierre de campaña del Balón de Oro: "¿Por quién voto yo? Por mí" marca.com ↩
