Éder Militao faces this new start to the season just like the last one, having recently recovered from a serious knee injury, but in top form and full of confidence. The club has never doubted the Brazilian despite his two serious knee injuries. They are aware of his class as a footballer and his physical attributes, but also of his work ethic and discipline. However, his current form is still surprising, because it seems as if he never left.
Militao wants to regain his place in Real Madrid’s starting line-up
His first minutes after his injury came in the last game of the Club World Cup, when Xabi Alonso gave him some playing time once the tie was lost. In that game, he made three saves that demonstrated his high level of skill, especially his concentration and positioning.
During this month, the player has not rested, he has continued to work hard to make things difficult for Xabi Alonso, to reclaim his place in the starting eleven, a place he had secured before his first injury, a place he also had secured after his first injury, and a place that, if he regains his best form, will be difficult for anyone else to take away from him.
Because he reads the game perfectly, because he tackles with surgical precision, because he is good in the air, and because in open play, even after two injuries, he is the fastest and the most confident player, and in a club like this, especially with Xabi Alonso, who wants to play in the opposition’s half, that is a guarantee that is difficult to ignore.
Militao and the competition
The only center back who seems to have a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven is Huijsen. The new signing has already demonstrated his enormous capacity to be Real Madrid’s defensive leader for many years to come, but there are doubts about his partner. Rudiger’s experience and performance last season make him the favorite, but many believe that Asencio should be in the starting lineup because he is the future of the club and his performance in La Liga was superb, although his poor performances in the Club World Cup may have condemned him.
We mustn’t forget Alaba either, because if he also regains his best form, we mustn’t forget that he was the other starting center back alongside the Brazilian, and his quality is beyond doubt.
But Militao, since arriving at Real Madrid, has been demonstrating his leadership in defense. Little by little, he has earned his stripes and established himself as the team’s leader, and if he is able to regain that level, it would be logical for him to regain his place.
Will he be in the starting line-up at the start of the league?
On Tuesday, Real Madrid has its first and only friendly before the start of the league. The question is whether the tests will be accompanied by the starting eleven he has in mind for the first league game. In the case of Militao, even if he is fit to play, it is likely that Xabi Alonso will not include him in the starting line-up and will continue to prefer to give him limited minutes so that he can finish strengthening his knee and continue to improve his performance. It is better not to take any risks from the outset, because there are reliable players in defense who can replace him, something that has not been the case in recent seasons, but now there are alternatives.
What is clear is that if he decides to play him, it will be because he is fully recovered and because he considers him to be his center back alongside Huijsen. Whenever he returns, it looks like Militao will end up establishing himself as one of Xabi Alonso’s trusted players throughout the season.