Real Madrid in crisis: 14 injuries in one month.

Eder Militao's injury during Real Madrid's defeat to Celta Vigo this morning served as a stark reminder of the turbulent period Real Madrid is currently facing: injuries are plaguing the team, form is declining, and Xabi Alonso is having to carefully consider every remaining link in the chain. In just one month, Real Madrid has recorded 14 injuries; in their last seven matches, they have only won two, drawn three, and lost two.

A storm of injuries swept through Valdebebas.

The medical room at Valdebebas has been overwhelmed over the past month. The injury list has grown longer with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe… In this context, a decline in performance is an inevitable consequence: a run of 7 matches with only 2 wins reflects the necessary changes in personnel selection.

A dramatic reversal

Before November, Real Madrid had relatively good control over their medical situation. The first three months of the season (August, September, October) saw a total of 13 injuries. Although there were some long periods of absence, such as Camavinga's 38 days, Rudiger's 79 days, and Trent's 40 days, they didn't all come at once, allowing Alonso to maintain a stable squad.

The turning point came on November 3rd, when Franco Mastantuono's groin injury triggered a series of new injuries. The demanding schedule, coupled with intense physical exertion at both club and national team levels, pushed the players' bodies to the limit. Since then, the personnel graph has declined alongside the performance graph.

The center-back dilemma: experience or youth?

The return of Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao had promised to restore order to the defense. But the problem wasn't just about having enough personnel, but about choosing the right structure. After the match at San Mames, Alonso prioritized the experience and battlefield prowess of the seasoned central defensive pairing, rather than continuing to rely on youth.

That decision doesn't negate Dean Huijsen's potential. The 20-year-old center-back impressed with five outstanding performances at the FIFA Club World Cup: his composure in ball distribution, his tackling ability, and his leadership qualities. But in this period of crisis, Real Madrid needs the highest level of stability in the finer parts of the game – from covering half-space to managing risk in transitional situations.

When Militao suffered a hamstring injury against Celta Vigo, the door opened for Huijsen. His test was consistency: maintaining focus, increasing his defensive intensity, and being ready to seize opportunities when Alonso needed to rotate the squad.

The numbers speak for themselves.

• 14 injuries in the last month.
• Last 7 matches: 2 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses.
• First three months of the season: 13 injuries; long but not all-out absences (Camavinga 38 days, Rudiger 79 days, Trent 40 days).
• The series of injuries accelerated after November 3rd, starting with Franco Mastantuono's groin injury.

Impact and direction

In the short term, Real Madrid needs to optimize its resources: preserving key players, minimizing disruption to the defense, and managing workload to avoid further injuries. In the long term, the distribution of playing time between the experienced group (Rudiger, Militao – upon their return) and the younger group (Huijsen) will determine the team's stability in the next phase.

Real Madrid has weathered many storms to reach the finish line. For Alonso, the challenge now is to balance tactical safety with enough freshness to maintain the rhythm of the game – a narrow path, but not an uncharted one.