Brahim injury worse that feared: how long will the Real Madrid player be out for and what games will he miss?
Real Madrid’s injury crisis continues with confirmation that Brahim Díaz faces a while on the sidelines. On a happier note, Ancelotti recovers Bellingham ahead of this week’s Champions League opener against Stuttgart.
Six games without Brahim Díaz. Another body blow for Real Madrid. The Malagueño was forced to quit Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad in the 24th minute. Five minutes earlier the player had felt discomfort to his right adductor muscle. He tried to continue, but in the end was forced to request to be taken off. He was replaced by Rodrygo.
Brahim facing three months out
While the injury didn’t seem too serious at first, AS USA understands that Brahim has suffered a muscle tear and faces around three months on the sidelines. It rules him out for this week’s Champions League opener - Madrid’s first game in the new format. Ancelotti’s team begin their defence of the title at home to Stuttgart on Tuesday (17 September).
Games that Dani Ceballos will miss
Champions League
- 17 Sept Stuttgart (H)
- 2 Oct Lille (A)
- 22 Oct Borussia Dortmund (H)
- 5 Nov AC Milan (H)
- 27 Nov Liverpool (A)
- 10 Dec Atalanta (A)
LaLiga
- 21 Sept Espanyol (H)
- 24 Sept Alavés (H)
- 29 Sept Atlético (A)
- 5 Oct Villarreal (H)
- 19 Oct Celta (A)
- 27 Oct Barcelona (H)
- 3 Nov Valencia (A)
- 10 Nov Osasuna (H)
- 24 Nov Leganés (A)
- 1 Dec Getafe (H)
- 8 Dec Girona (A
- 15 Dec Rayo (A)
As always, Ancelotti was cautious about making predictions until the player had been looked at by the club’s doctors. “We will evaluate him tomorrow,” he told reporters in his post-game press conference.
Ceballos will be nearing the end of his recovery by Christmas. In the meantime, he will miss the Madrid derby on 29 September as well as El Clásico on 27 October and probably all of the Champions League initial phase.
How many players are on Real Madrid’s injury list?
Madrid’s infirmary is slowly emptying out after a worrying start to the new campaign during which seven first team players have passed through the sickbay. Ceballos joins the list of walking wounded which includes Eduardo Camavinga (sprained knee) while centre-back David Alaba is out long-term with an ACL tear.
Jude Bellingham returned to training this week after spending 31 days out with a calf muscle injury. Aurélien Tchouaméni who has been absent for a couple of weeks with a foot issue is also due back. Defenders Eder Militão, Férland Mendy and Jesús Vallejo, are all available again after overcoming diverse fitness problems.
Ancelotti’s team face a hectic few weeks with six games in the next 21 days. This season, they could play as many as 72 games. Plenty of squad rotation is expected in the next few weeks - for now, the coach has Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Rodrygo and Arda Güler fit and able.