Real Madrid
Real Madrid crisis worsens with double injury blow
Real Madrid’s week goes from bad to worse with the news of two starters suffering injuries.
The bad news keeps coming for Real Madrid: Aurélien Tchouaméni will be sidelined for about a month with a sprained left ankle.
The French midfielder is set to miss games against Osasuna, Leganés, Getafe, Athletic, Girona, and the next European match against Liverpool. His recovery will be monitored closely to see if he can return for matches against Atalanta (December 10) and Rayo Vallecano (December 14), as well as the penultimate match of the year.
Tchouaméni endured a tough night in the recent loss to Milan at the Bernabéu, where he was whistled by fans after struggling in the first half, at fault for two early goals by the opposition. He suffered a hard tackle midway through the half but continued to play.
Real Madrid official statement:
Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid's Medical Services on our player Aurélien Tchouameni, he has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle. His progress will be monitored.
Tchouaméni whistled by fans
On Milan’s first goal, Thiaw positioned himself ahead of Tchouaméni to score past Lunin. For the second goal, a poor pass from Tchouaméni to Vinicius led to a Milan attack, ending in a goal by Morata after a rebound off the Madrid goalkeeper. Every time Tchouaméni touched the ball afterward, he was met with whistles from the fans, and he was substituted at halftime for his compatriot, Camavinga.
Arriving from Monaco in the summer of 2022 for over €80 million as a replacement for Casemiro, Tchouaméni has struggled to adapt to Madrid’s high expectations.
Fans had hoped for a player with the authority and tenacity of Casemiro but instead found a player perceived as too reserved for a position that demands intensity and effectiveness. His lack of urgency on Milan’s second goal disappointed fans further.
In two and a half seasons with Real Madrid, Tchouaméni has missed 26 games. Last year, following the Clásico—where Madrid won with two goals from Bellingham—he missed 11 games due to a stress fracture, which some speculated was caused by playing with improperly fitted boots.
Despite consistent support from Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian coach is reportedly beginning to have serious doubts about Tchouaméni’s form and fit within the squad.
Meanwhile, Fede Valverde is nursing lower back pain, making him a serious doubt for Saturday’s match against Osasuna. Although not fully recovered, he remains a possibility depending on his progress. Additionally, Alaba, Courtois, and Carvajal continue with their respective recovery processes.