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LaLiga

Real Madrid Suffer Triple Injury Blow; Militão Out Of Season

Éder Militão suffered a torn ACL while Rodrygo and Lucas Vasquez were substituted in the first half of Real Madrid’s 4-0 win over Osasuna on Saturday to further compound their injury woes.

Vinícius Júnior scored a hat trick for Madrid, and Jude Bellingham netted his first goal of the season, but the victory was soured by the triple injury blow to Militão, Rodrygo and Vázquez.

“It was a good game, we controlled it well from the start,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. “From when we opened the scoring, the team looked good. The shame is the injuries in the first half. We’re assessing them now, and we’ll see.

“Three injuries in the first half is quite strange. The calendar is demanding and doesn’t allow the players to rest, they go into games tired, so the risk of injuries is higher.”

Forward Rodrygo — who had only just returned to the team after recovering from a hamstring problem — was withdrawn in the 20th minute at the Bernabéu, and replaced by Brahim Díaz.

Centre-back Militão needed treatment 10 minutes later before being stretchered off, with youngster Raul Asencio being introduced in his place.

Madrid confirmed in a statement later on Saturday that Militão has torn his left ACL and will undergo surgery in the next few days. The Brazil international missed a majority of last season with an ACL tear in the same leg. It is the fourth ACL injury suffered by a Madrid player in the past year with Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba have having also suffered torn ACLs in the past year.

Full-back Vázquez was then withdrawn at halftime, and was replaced by Luka Modric.

Madrid are short in defence, with Dani Carvajal out for the season with a serious injury, and Alaba not yet fully recovered.

They are also without goalkeeper Courtois, who has a thigh injury, and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni — who sometimes fills in at the back — who has an ankle sprain.

“We have to thank the academy for the work they’ve done with [Asencio],” Ancelotti said. “He’s a player we need at this time … Raul has been doing well with [reserve team] Castilla and now he’ll be with us.”

Ancelotti wouldn’t say if the string of injuries made January signings more likely.

“We’ll assess it in the coming months,” he said. “Right now there’s nothing we can do. We’ll evaluate what we can do in January.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, because it hurts me to see my teammates crying,” Diaz said post-match when asked about the club’s injury woes.

“It breaks my heart. I’ve come back from a long injury and now it’s their turn. It seems like they could be longer than usual … It breaks my heart.”

Madrid had gone into the Osasuna game under pressure, after being beaten twice at home in their previous two matches, against Barcelona and AC Milan.

They now have a two-week break, before returning to action against Leganés on Nov. 24 and travelling to Anfield to play Liverpool in the Champions League on Nov. 27.

Saturday’s win leaves Madrid six points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who play on Sunday.

 

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LaLiga

I Don’t Like Bellingham’s Behaviour, Disrespectful – Barcelona Coach

I Don't Like Bellingham's Behaviour, Disrespectful - Barcelona Coach

Jude Bellingham was “disrespectful” after he was sent off for dissent during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, says Barcelona boss Hansi Flick.

The England midfielder was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute for something he was adjudged to have said to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.

The 21-year-old later said the incident was a “misunderstanding” and he did not insult the referee, an explanation supported by his manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Asked for his reaction to the incident, Flick said: “It is disrespectful but I’m not the one who should comment on it.

“And that’s what I’ve always told the players. Why waste time and energy arguing with the referee regarding the decisions he makes?

“There is a player, who is the captain, who has the right to argue with the referee.

“I don’t like the behaviour I saw. It’s a weakness when you get a red card.”

Bellingham’s only previous dismissal for Real came after the final whistle in a 2-2 draw at Valencia in March 2024, when he received a second yellow for complaining to the referee.

After Saturday’s game, the former Birmingham City player said he was expressing his frustration at himself.

“He’s believed that I’ve said [something insulting] to him,” added Bellingham. “There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

Ancelotti said Bellingham had used an expletive in English, but the referee mistakenly thought it was directed at him.

The draw meant Real Madrid remained one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the table.

But Flick’s Barcelona side can go top on goal difference if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday.

 

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LaLiga

Ancelotti Issues Stern Warning to Players After Madrid Derby Draw

Madrid ‘lacked courage’ against City, says Ancelotti before rematch

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reportedly tore into his players during halftime of their 1-1 LaLiga draw against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, according to Marca.

Julian Alvarez’s penalty had put Los Blancos behind at the break. However, Kylian Mbappe netted the equalizer within five minutes of the restart, securing a point for the Spanish champions.

The result keeps Real Madrid at the top of the table with 50 points, just one ahead of Atletico Madrid’s 49.

During the first half, Ancelotti was visibly frustrated as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr often crowded the same spaces, leading to disjointed attacks.

The Italian tactician threatened to substitute his forwards if they did not change their approach. He specifically instructed Vinicius to stay wide on the left flank rather than drifting into central areas already occupied by Mbappe and Bellingham.

Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments appeared to pay off, with Madrid salvaging a valuable point in the tightly contested derby.

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LaLiga

Florentino Perez Lauds Marcelo’s Legendary Real Madrid Career Following Retirement

Florentino Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has paid tribute to club legend Marcelo following the Brazilian’s retirement announcement on Thursday.

Marcelo, 36, revealed his decision in a heartfelt social media video, bringing an illustrious 19-year playing career to an end.

“My story as a player ends here but I still have much to give to football,” Marcelo stated.

During his time at Real Madrid, Marcelo secured five Champions League titles and six LaLiga crowns, leaving the Bernabeu as the club’s most decorated player with 25 trophies—a record later surpassed by Nacho, Luka Modric, and Dani Carvajal.

Perez described Marcelo as a legend of world football, saying:

“One of the greatest left-backs in Real Madrid and world football history, and we had the privilege of watching him for a long time. He is one of our greatest legends and Real Madrid is and always will be his home.”

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