Madrid, Dec 18: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has some tinkering to do with his defense after yet another serious injury blow.
Central defender David Alaba became the third Madrid player to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament injury on Sunday, having to be substituted before halftime in the team’s 4-1 win against Villarreal in the Spanish league.
The Austria international is expected to undergo surgery on his left knee in the coming days and is not likely to play again this season.
“We are really sad about it because he is another player that we will lose,” Ancelotti said.
“I’ve never had three of my players get cruciate injuries in four months, it’s incredible.” Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Éder Militão also underwent surgeries to repair their knee ligaments this year, while midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and forward Arda Güler sustained other knee problems that sidelined them for significant periods.
Also out for Madrid are forward Vinícius Júnior and right back Dani Carvajal.
The injury setbacks have left Ancelotti in a tough spot, having to find ways to rebuild the squad entering the decisive second half of the season.
Madrid visits Alaves on Thursday for its final match of the year. It leads the Spanish league by a point over Girona, which has a game in hand against Alaves later on Monday.
Early next year Madrid begins its Copa del Rey campaign and plays in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. In the Champions League, Madrid will face Leipzig in the round of 16.
“What the team has to do is exactly what it’s been doing so far,” Ancelotti said. “We’ve done more than what anyone believed we were capable of. Despite the problems, this team fights, digs in, plays some great football and shows extraordinary commitment. That’s the only way to fill in for all the guys who are out injured.” (AP)
