Injuries to numerous important players plagued Real Madrid early in the 2023–24 season.
Thibaut Courtois broke his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) only days before the opening game of the season, while Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, and Arda Guler had been out since preseason itself.
Then, on the day when Los Blancos kicked off their new season against Athletic Club, Eder Militao suffered the same fate as Courtois and was sidelined for the foreseeable future after tearing his ACL.
Militao’s injury is less severe than Courtois’.
The loss of Militao is devastating for Real Madrid, as the Brazilian international was an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti’s starting defense.
The 25-year-old had emerged as a defensive leader during the previous season or two, so his indefinite absence is understandably a major setback.
Militao, on the other hand, is believed to have suffered a considerably less severe injury than Courtois, according a report by Jose Felix Diaz of MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra).
Because of this, it is believed that the Brazilian international will have a lot easier and quicker recovery compared to his partner.
According to the source, Militao may make his Real Madrid debut before the conclusion of the current season, providing a much-needed lift for Ancelotti and company.
The Spanish giants Real Madrid have yet to replace
Real Madrid wasted no time in bringing in a substitute for Courtois when he was hurt, borrowing Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Despite Militao’s ACL injury, no such action was taken to replace him. Ancelotti and the Merengues opted to use internal resources to make up for his absence.
Therefore, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are now the starting central defender duo, with club captain Nacho Fernandez serving in a supporting role.
Ancelotti also has Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni to choose from if Nacho isn’t available to start at center back.
Since Militao’s injury, another alternative is academy star Marvel, who has been working with the first team on a regular basis. Whether or if they make a change in January for someone is still up in the air.
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