Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Turning back the clock to Real Madrid’s last clash against Athletic Club takes one back to the opening match day of La Liga.
Real Madrid were getting started on a new season, fresh from the disappointing news of Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury.
The men in white got off to a stunning start, with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham giving the team a 2-0 lead with just over half an hour on the clock. However, it did not take long for the game to take a horrific turn.
Five minutes after the break, Real Madrid’s Eder Militao went down in excruciating pain. His eyes and the expressions of teammates around him made it very clear – he had suffered a gruesome injury.
The Brazilian was soon diagnosed with the same setback as Courtois, a tear on his Anterior Cruciate Ligament which could potentially end his season before it started.
The poetic timing
Real Madrid face Athletic Club for the reverse league fixture this weekend once more. Almost poetically, Militao has been included in the squad for the first time since his injury against the same opponent and will be on the bench on Sunday.
The past eight months have not been easy for the Brazilian superstar. However, he hit all his deadlines with remarkable accuracy and, despite a minor setback, has made it back ahead of the anticipated time frame.
The onus of utilising his services and slowly incorporating him into the dynamics now falls on Carlo Ancelotti. The post-recovery management, after all, is as important as the recovery itself.
Step by step
With Militao back in the mix, there is tangible excitement around Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against Manchester City. After all, the 26-year-old is the team’s best defender and will sit pretty in the starting lineup alongside Antonio Rudiger.
“Militao, maybe not, maybe yes. I’m not saying it’s 50%, it could be 70% no and 30% yes, but Militao is very important,” Ancelotti said earlier today when asked about the defender’s participation against Manchester City.
Despite the manager’s modesty in admitting that Militao could have minutes, it is in the best interest of all parties to limit the chances of his participation to 0%.
Out of match-rhythm for eight months, still recovering confidence after a long-term injury; Militao is simply not well placed to take on the load of a UEFA Champions League fixture just yet.
His return to action may well arrive tomorrow, but it is vital that it be limited to a few minutes. Even a five-minute cameo at the Santiago Bernabeu will give the player the adrenaline he requires, and that must be Ancelotti’s approach tomorrow.
Weight off his shoulders
As the weeks fly by, it is only natural that Militao’s participation will slowly grow. Five minutes against Athletic Club may well become fifteen against Mallorca and 25 against Real Madrid Sociedad.
If everything goes to plan, he may well start by the time Real Madrid travel to Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes to face Granada.
However, it is Los Blancos’ safest bet to limit his minutes to La Liga until he has recovered his 100%. With the league all but won and the consequences of a mistake not as serious in the competition, it provides the ideal environment for Militao to work on his return.
The weight off his shoulders will go a long way in avoiding a relapse.
The UCL scenario
The clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City is indeed one between two of Europe’s finest forces. It will be the team’s most difficult challenge to conquer in their hypothetical run to the final.
Yet, Los Blancos must keep Militao well away from the action against Pep Guardiola’s side for both legs. Should his return in La Liga reach the desired peak at an optimal time, he can be re-introduced in the UCL in time for the semifinal or the grand finale.
After all, a little precaution and restraint at this point could help Real Madrid recover one of world football’s most elite defenders at the best of his abilities in a matter of weeks.
