In recent times, injuries have become a prevalent issue across European football. Many managers have voiced their concerns, attributing the high injury rates to the congested fixture schedules. One notable example is Pep Guardiola, who openly supported players’ protests against these demanding schedules, highlighting the toll they can take on their health and well-being.
Real Madrid has been facing the same woes, as the Spanish giants just added to their injury list during the Las Palmas game. However, there is silver lining, as Vinicius Junior made his return to football after being sidelined for weeks. He could feature in the upcoming El Clasico.
Real Madrid’s defensive crisis deepens
Real Madrid is facing a deeper injury crisis as Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, both key figures in their defense, have now been added to the growing list of injured players. These injuries occurred during the recent 2-0 triumph over Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu last night.
During the match, David Alaba had to leave the field just before halftime due to discomfort in his leg, leading to his substitution by Lucas Vazquez.
Additionally, Antonio Rudiger was observed limping after the game. The German centre-back appears to be dealing with a calf issue and is set to undergo medical assessments.
According to Marca, the latest injury suffered by David Alaba could leave him sidelined for an extended period of 3 weeks or more. This has indeed generated a selection dilemma for Real Madrid, as Nacho is the only available central defender at the moment. Eder Militao, who could have filed in, is also sidelined due to a long-term ACL injury.
However, despite Real Madrid’s recent injury woes, there is silver linen as Vinicius Junior returns to add some dynamism to the attack.
Madrid will face Barcelona in the season’s first El Clasico
Real Madrid’s unbeaten run came to a halt in their recent encounter with Atletico Madrid last weekend. However, they swiftly regained their form with a convincing victory against Las Palmas. Brahim Diaz and Joselu both found the back of the net in that match. Now, their next stop is the El Clasico.
LaLiga has just made a significant announcement regarding the first El Clasico of the 2023-24 season. The match is scheduled for October 28th, and the kickoff time is set for 16:15 CET. Interestingly, this iconic clash won’t be held at Camp Nou this time, as the stadium is currently being renovated.
Instead, Barcelona will host the match at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. This change of venue will be in effect until Camp Nou’s renovation works are completed, ensuring the safety and comfort of both players and fans. El Clasico is always a highlight of the football calendar, and this venue change adds an intriguing twist to the upcoming showdown.
Indeed, the upcoming El Clasico has the potential to be a pivotal moment in the race for the 2023–24 La Liga championship. Real Madrid and Barcelona are expected to be strong contenders for the title, making their two head-to-head clashes crucial.
It’s worth noting that the most recent official encounter between these arch-rivals concluded with a resounding 0-4 victory for Los Blancos in the return leg of the Copa del Rey Semifinals. However, Xavi’s Barcelona side managed to secure a memorable 3-0 victory over Real Madrid during the pre-season stage. These recent results only add to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming clashes between these football giants.
