Real Madrid Faces Defensive Crisis

More problems for Real Madrid. David Alaba has sustained an adductor injury in his left leg and will be out for two to three weeks. This absence adds to the injuries of Rüdiger and Militao in the centre of defence, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with only the academy player Asencio and Vallejo, who is not favoured by the Italian coach.

Alaba's injury is considered somewhat expected after being away from the pitch for so long, but this setback, along with Rüdiger's, comes at the worst time of the season. In a month where much of their future in the Champions League and La Liga is at stake, Ancelotti is forced to play against Leganés in the Copa del Rey, Atlético Madrid in La Liga, and the first leg of the Champions League - and possibly the second - against Manchester City without Rüdiger, Militao, and Alaba.

The Austrian centre-back was set to start tomorrow against Leganés alongside Asencio, seen as a test for upcoming fixtures, but now Ancelotti will have to rely on Aurélien Tchouaméni and the academy player Asencio as options for the centre of defence.

Alaba returned to the pitch on January 19th in a league match against Las Palmas after more than a year without playing. Since then, he has accumulated 70 minutes across four matches.