Ancelotti is in trouble. The Italian coach has a defense in tatters and with several key league games to play to stay in the title race, it’s a real headache. Carletto will turn to the youth academy to get through this, but his most important ‘signing’ is already ready to help the team for the rest of the season and in the World Cup.
A plague of injuries
Real Madrid has suffered several heavy blows in recent weeks. The Whites were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals in a tough defeat against Arsenal. They did fight hard in the Copa del Rey final against Barça, but the Catalans came out on top in extra time, leaving the Whites without a title. Now, with their sole objective being to try to mount a comeback in LaLiga, injuries are complicating matters.
In addition to the long-term absences of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who are nearing recovery but will only be available for the World Cup, Rüdiger, Alaba and Mendy have also been ruled out. Ancelotti only has Asencio and Vallejo available for the center of defense, and the latter has not played all season and is not in the plans for the Whites.
The absences of Rüdiger, Alaba, and Mendy are complicated as all three have undergone surgery, and although the first two are expected to be fit for the World Cup, the left-back will not make it, nor will Camavinga, who has deputized at left-back on several occasions.
With this scenario, Carlo Ancelotti will have to turn to the youth academy. Yusi and Valde will be responsible for helping Fran García at left back for Real Madrid for the rest of the season, with Jacobo Ramón, Mario Rivas, and Diego Aguado also available.
Joan Martínez, ready to return
Amidst the bad news, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Joan Martínez is getting closer. During the preseason, the idea was for him to start featuring in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad this year. That plan was dashed when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training.
In recent months, the player has been unable to do anything but attend medical check-ups, endless sessions with the physios at Valdebebas and work alone in the gym, which has paid off. The young center back will begin his gradual return to training with the Juvenil A team next week.
The young center back, who was on the tour of the United States, had become the sensation of Real Madrid’s preseason, and Ancelotti was determined to give him a chance. With his return, it is possible that the Italian coach, or Solari in the case of the World Cup, could call on the center back they consider to be the “new Sergio Ramos.”