It doesn’t seem very auspicious the season of Real Madrid, especially concerning the upcoming La Liga schedule and the Champions League next week. The team has been struggling with several injuries that are taking aside the stars of the team and now they added one more ‘victim’ to the list: Luka Modric.
The Croatian maestro and Balon D’Or winner last year came back from the international break with a muscular injury in the adductor of the right leg. The La Liga table giants are still waiting for evolution, but the news worries the supporters and surely the coach Zinedine Zidane.
A list that keeps growing
Currently, there are over six players in the ‘medical department’ of Santiago Bernabeu. Marco Asensio was one of the first ones, suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in a preseason friendly and he will be out at least until next February.
Then, newly signed Belgian starlet, Eden Hazard, also suffered a hamstring injury, although it is expected he will be coming back this weekend or the next one.
Isco and returning midfielder James Rodriguez are also out until new week, at least, due to a Biceps femoris muscle and a calf injury, respectively.
Another midfielder, Brahim Diaz, signed to Manchester City in January, is also dealing with a hamstring injury. With Modric, the injury list goes up to 6, with 4 of them being midfielders.
It is also worth mentioning that new signings Ferland Mendy and Luka Jovic also had to deal with injuries throughout August. The two players have returned to the squad already, but it is a sign that something is going on.
How will Zidane deal with the lack of midfielders?
Either it is lack of physical preparation to avoid injuries or just bad luck, Zidane is the one who has to find solutions to the holes in the team. The market is closed and the schedule is getting tighter.
The ‘Galacticos’ play on Saturday against Levante for La Liga and will have a tough visit to PSG home ground, on Wednesday night, for Champions League group stages.
Zidane will likely have to make some changes in midfield, with Kroos and Casemiro having the obvious starting positions. However, there is no more depth in this area, since most of the players are injured and so it is likely that Zidane puts Fede Valverde, an Uruguayan youngster to start against Levante.
Meanwhile, injury-prone player Gareth Bale, who was likely to be moving one month ago, will be crucial during this phase. If the Welsh avoids getting injured, as usual, and keeps his good form, he might be the key for Real Madrid to stay on track and do not lose more points in La Liga.
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