The full-back from La Mancha with Real Madrid, in Fran García, will miss the next month of competition with the Whites after being injured in the final minutes of the last league match corresponding to matchday 28 that Real Madrid played against Villarreal at the La Cerámica stadium, which ended with a 1-2 win for the Whites with a brace from Kylian Mbappé.
Fran García joins the list of injured players
Fran García injured the abductor of his left leg in the last league game against Villarreal. Although he was able to finish the game, the bad news is confirmed for him and for Real Madrid. The full-back had a great opportunity to gain some playing time, as he was the only available left-back in the team after Ferland Mendy’s injury against Atlético de Madrid in the Whites’ last game in the Champions League.
Fran García thus joins a list of injuries that has never been empty in recent years. In addition to the aforementioned Mendy, Vallejo (who is not counted by Ancelotti), is still out, and is joined by Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Camavinga or new opportunities
The loss of Fran García is a new headache for Ancelotti. During last season and in some matches this season, he has used Eduardo Camavinga to play the role of left-back, but his game raises doubts: when the Frenchman has been 100% physically fit, which is not the case now, he has been able to contribute well in this position. However, the confidence that there is now in the player’s performance raises doubts for the coaching staff.
On the other hand, the absence of Dani Ceballos and the fact that Fede Valverde is being moved to right back in many matches (especially in the most important ones of the season), leave a huge void in the midfield and Ancelotti wants to have fresh legs in these positions, and Camavinga plays a key role in this sense.
Valde sticks his head out
Carlo Ancelotti is considering using the youth team for the next league game against Leganés. Although it would be foolhardy to downplay the importance of the opponent and the game, Ancelotti believes it could be a good time to give Víctor Valdepeñas ‘Valde’ some playing time. The Real Madrid full-back, who started the season in the youth team, has already been part of the team dynamic and has travelled with the first team players, and could make his debut in a week and a half.
Víctor Valdepeñas is having a meteoric progression through the Real Madrid youth academy, and his performance has caught the attention of Ancelotti and the entire Real Madrid coaching staff. He started the season with the youth team, but he has also shone with Real Madrid Castilla under Raúl. Although his natural position is left-back, his physical stature, his discipline and his aerial game (he is 1.88 m tall) allow him to play in the centre of defence.
His game on the wing is characterised by his speed, his forceful approach to the opposition area and his powerful and accurate shot. As for defensive tasks, he is forceful, quick to cut out, and leaves little room for manoeuvre for his opponents. On paper, we are talking about a complete full-back, but the difficult thing is to know if his characteristics are enough to be able to play in the first team.
The position of left back has been in question at Real Madrid for years. Two of the most important foreign players in the history of Real Madrid have been Roberto Carlos and then Marcelo (Marcelo took over from Roberto Carlos). Since the latter’s departure, Real Madrid has not been able to find a replacement of such stature. Mendy is a wall in defensive duties, but his contribution in attack is very limited. Fran García has got it all, but his quality is not enough to convince us to give him the definitive position. And given the limited market (Gareth Bale was an option but his renewal with Bayern Munich rules him out), it may be time to look at what’s at home and give Víctor Valdepeñas a try. He could be a temporary and future solution.