😰 Madrid’s defence in trouble, Under-20 World Cup hits Xabi | OneFootball

😰 Madrid’s defence in trouble, Under-20 World Cup hits Xabi | OneFootball

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·18 September 2025

😰 Madrid’s defence in trouble, Under-20 World Cup hits Xabi

Article image:😰 Madrid’s defence in trouble, Under-20 World Cup hits Xabi

Real Madrid faces a real puzzle in their defensive line at the worst possible time. The already concerning list of injuries, which includes Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the suspensions of Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal, is now joined by an unexpected complication: the call-up to the U-20 World Cup.

The Spanish national team has set its sights on Real Madrid's youth academy, taking two of the most promising defenders, Jesús Fortea and Diego Aguado. Their absence leaves the first team with almost no room for maneuver in the defense, just when they are most needed to fill the gaps.


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The situation also affects the midfield in one way or another. Thiago Pitarch, who had been standing out in training with the first team, also joins the national squad, depriving the club of a fresh and talented option for the midfield.

With five youth players heading to the world event, Madrid is forced to readjust their plans and seek emergency solutions. The upcoming matches, both in the League and the Champions League, will be a real challenge for a team that suddenly finds itself without its pillars and without its young reinforcements. The youth academy bears fruit, but it also leaves a void that the club must urgently resolve.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.


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