David Alaba hurt his knee against Villarreal on Sunday.
David Alaba was helped off the field even before the break. EPA / AOP
Real Madrid defender David Alaban the season is most likely over. Alaba was forced off the pitch in Sunday night’s game against Villarreal before the half-time whistle, and is said to have suffered a serious knee injury after the game.
The Austrian national team defender injured his knee in the 35th minute of the match in a duel situation Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno against. Real Madrid says that Alaba was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, which will require surgery.
Knee surgery means Alaba will be out for months. With these prospects, in addition to the rest of the season, he will also miss the summer European Championships. According to Real Madrid’s statement, an estimate of the duration of Alaba’s rehabilitation will be made before Christmas.
Although Real Madrid took the full points pot with a 4-1 win, Alaba’s injury is bad news for the Spanish giants. There are only two players in the team who are fit to play, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernández, as previously Éder Militão’s season ended prematurely due to a knee injury.
Serious knee injuries have plagued Real Madrid this season. In addition to Militão and Alaba, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga are sidelined for a long time due to knee injuries.
The story continues after the picture.
Carlo Ancelotti has a lot to think about. EPA / AOP
– It is very sad. I have never had three cruciate ligament injuries in four months in my career, manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters after the match.
A ray of light in the injured country was the return of midfielder Aurélien Tchouamén. Ancelotti says that Tchouaméni is an alternative to Los Blancos’ winged defensive line.
– Tchouaméni is the first choice as a topper. In an emergency, he can play there, and this is an emergency, says Ancelotti.
Ancelotti is likely to be eyeing an addition to the defensive department in the January transfer window. Two full-time toppers and back-up Tchouaméni are hardly enough for Real Madrid, who are fighting for trophies in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.