Real Madrid’s Injury Crisis Deepens Ahead Of Man City Showdown

Real Madrid’s Defensive Nightmare Arrives At The Worst Possible Time

Real Madrid’s carefully built momentum has hit a massive roadblock after Sunday’s chaotic 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo. What should have been a manageable La Liga fixture quickly spiraled into a crisis, exposing massive cracks in the squad just days before their Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

The headline blow came when star centre-back Eder Militao went down clutching his hamstring. Early reports suggest a torn biceps femoris muscle that could rule him out for up to four months. For Xabi Alonso, who relies heavily on Militao’s pace, positioning, and recovery strength, this injury is a tactical earthquake.

His exit rattled the backline, and things only got worse. Fran García and Alvaro Carreras both picked up red cards in the second half, leaving Madrid not just beaten—but depleted.

A Depth Crisis Unlike Anything Madrid Has Faced In Years

Militao’s injury only adds to a growing list of unavailable defenders. The medical room is overflowing:

Trent Alexander-Arnold: thigh injury
Dani Carvajal: long-term knee surgery
David Alaba: recurring muscle issues
Ferland Mendy: still sidelined
Dean Huijsen: muscle strain
García and Carreras: suspended

That leaves Antonio Rudiger as the only fully fit senior defender. For a team preparing to face Manchester City’s explosive attack, this shortage couldn’t come at a worse moment.

Xabi Alonso Now Faces His Toughest Tactical Test

With defenders unavailable across the board, Alonso may be forced into drastic improvisation.

Aurelien Tchouameni has deputized at centre-back before, but shifting him from midfield removes Madrid’s best ball-winner and disrupts the team’s balance. Federico Valverde could be pushed into a hybrid defensive role, but doing so eliminates his dynamism in attack.

There are even whispers of promoting academy defender Raúl Asencio to the starting lineup—a massive gamble for a Champions League night.

A patchwork “Frankenstein” backline is now a real possibility, and if cohesion is missing for even one moment, City’s forwards will punish it.

Madrid Must Regroup Fast—Or Risk Their Season Falling Apart

Real Madrid’s hopes in both La Liga and the Champions League now hang on Xabi Alonso’s ability to stabilize the backline and adapt under pressure. What should have been a competitive matchup with Manchester City now feels like a survival challenge.

The coming days will reveal whether the squad can rally—or collapse under the weight of injuries, suspensions, and uncertainty.