Real Madrid suffer major defensive injury blow ahead of Manchester City clash | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid will be forced to take on Manchester City this week without one of their main pieces of their defensive structure.

The Spanish giants enter this week’s Champions League league phase meeting under significant pressure, with recent performances raising concerns about their stability at both ends of the pitch.

A damaging home defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday only intensified scrutiny, leaving Real Madrid searching for confidence and continuity at the worst possible time ahead of facing the Premier League giants and recent European rivals.

The loss of senior defensive figures has been a recurring theme for Xabi Alonso during a turbulent start to his tenure. Madrid have struggled for rhythm amid repeated injuries and suspensions, forcing constant changes to their back line and midfield protection.

With City arriving in the Spanish capital in strong attacking form, the timing of this latest setback could hardly be worse for the 14-time European champions. City travel encouraged by their recent performances in domestic competition, with Pep Guardiola’s side having built momentum in recent weeks, finding fluency in attack and tightening defensive structure.

However, for Real Madrid and according to the reporting of journalist Arancha Rodríguez, Éder Militão has become the latest injury blow by suffering a tear in his biceps femoris muscle in the left leg and will now face around four months on the sidelines.

The injury was sustained in Sunday evening’s 0-2 home defeat to Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu, in the latest damning result under Xabi Alonso and a contest that also saw two Madrid players receive red cards in the fixture.

The Brazilian’s issue is just the latest in a long list of absentees for the clash with Manchester City, joining Trent Alexander-Arnold in being ruled out, while fellow defensive star Dean Huijsen is also a doubt.

Dani Carvajal is not expected to be back playing anytime soon having undergone surgery on an issue of his own, while David Alaba remains a doubt having missed the weekend’s defeat as he continues to recover from a muscular problem.

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s meeting, Xabi Alonso may be forced to turn to a makeshift defensive unit, potentially relying on younger or less experienced players to keep pace with the likes of in-form stars in Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku.

Real Madrid could also adjust tactically by dropping an additional midfielder into defensive areas or adopting a more conservative approach out of possession. For City, the situation presents a clear opportunity to capitalise on a weakened back line.

Pep Guardiola may look to increase attacking width and tempo, targeting Madrid’s uncertain defensive structure early in the contest. Should the Spanish side struggle to cope with City’s movement and pressure, the Premier League outfit could take a significant step toward automatic qualification for the last-16 stage having faltered against Bayer Leverkusen.