Luka Modric blow adds to Real Madrid's injury woes ahead of crucial fixtures

Rob Fleming
28 November 2023

In a season marred by injuries, Real Madrid face yet another setback as midfield maestro Luka Modric joins the growing list of sidelined stars.

The squad's injury troubles began with the absence of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao due to ACL injuries before the La Liga season even kicked off. Recent casualties include key players such as Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni, leaving a void on the pitch that is expected to persist in the foreseeable future.

Jude Bellingham, who also endured a recent shoulder injury, made a triumphant return, netting a goal against Cadiz over the weekend. However, the silver lining for Bellingham does not extend to Modric, who is set to miss crucial upcoming fixtures.

Journalist Arancha Rodriguez's tweet offers a glimmer of optimism regarding Modric's injury, but the Croatian is poised to sit out the Champions League clash against Napoli this Wednesday and is doubtful for the weekend fixture against Granada.

Despite the optimism surrounding the short-term nature of the injury, Modric's absence is a blow to Real Madrid's midfield, already coping with a shortage of fit players in the position.

The timing of Modric's injury is particularly inconvenient as the Croatian was expected to step up in the absence of other midfielders who are sidelined due to injuries. With only three fit midfielders — Toni Kroos, Fede Valverde, and Dani Ceballos — Carlo Ancelotti faces a challenging task in managing the squad rotation. Jude Bellingham, who occupies a more advanced role at the tip of the diamond formation, adds a layer of complexity to Ancelotti's selection decisions.

Real Madrid's injury crisis extends beyond the midfield, affecting various positions on the pitch. As Ancelotti navigates through the challenging period, the footballing world is witnessing a broader trend of increased fitness problems among players, not exclusive to Real Madrid but prevalent throughout Europe. The strain of a congested footballing schedule compounds the issue, forcing managers to carefully navigate their squads through a relentless fixture list.

As the injury list grows, the spotlight is on Carlo Ancelotti's ability to steer Real Madrid through turbulent times and keep the team competitive on multiple fronts. The coming weeks and months will be a test of not just skill on the pitch but also the depth and resilience of the squad in the face of adversity.