Ancelotti, Real Madrid ‘still in shock’ over key defender’s season-ending injury | OneFootball

Last week, Real Madrid lost their second-captain and key defender Dani Carvajal for the rest of the season as the right-back suffered an ACL injury during the game against Villarreal.

One of the most important cogs in the team and a leader on and off the pitch, the veteran defender’s absence is bound to come as a huge blow for the reigning champions of Spain and Europe.

Real Madrid still in shock

Now, MARCA reports that manager Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are still in shock about Carvajal’s injury and are lamenting how much the Spanish international will be missed.

“The day-to-day without Carvajal is killing us,” the Italian has repeatedly acknowledged at Valdebebas.

Out for the season. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

That is because the defender’s importance in the team is paramount on a weekly basis, not just on a matchday.

On matchday, the team will be without the best right-back in the world, but every day they lose a born competitor and a player who keeps his teammates on their toes in each training session.

Another leader lost

Real Madrid already bid goodbye to dressing room leaders like Nacho Fernandez, Joselu, and Toni Kroos this past summer.

And now, Ancelotti will have to make do without one of his most trusted lieutenants in Carvajal as well for the rest of the season.

The report highlights an incident from last week when Carvajal ripped into his teammates in the locker room after the loss against Lille in the Champions League.

With his injury, Real Madrid are losing a key player and an important presence from the locker room and Ancelotti must find a way to fill the void left by Carvajal.