Real Madrid’s Éder Militão injured: what is the injury and how long is he out for?

Real Madrid are set to be without Éder Militão as the defender has fallen to injury, adding to the growing list of casualties at the club from the capital.

Carlo Ancelotti has some head banging to do in order to find a working formula at the 15-time European champions as he is now without four of who many would possibly consider to be his best back 5, including Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and now Éder Militao.

The Brazilian centre-back said he felt something during the 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid last weekend, a game which was marred by ugly scenes from the stands. Militão was taken off against Lille and missed out on the side’s 2-0 home win against Villarreal the following match day and now, after having undergone scans and tests in Brazil, the news is in.

Real Madrid full statement on Militão injury:

What injury does Militao have? When will he be back?

A thigh injury is the diagnosis. After asking to come off against the French side in the Champions League defeat, he played the last 20 minutes against Villarreal and fans thought that all may be well. However, a 10-day period of recovery is expected for the player who, as mentioned, joins what can now be called ‘an extensive’ injury list for the Real Madrid doctors and physios to look after.

Real Madrid’s next game, against Celta de Vigo, on October 19 (3PM), is the target for Militão. Whether or not he gets there to be in the squad is one question and being match fit for either some or all of the game, another. In a sense, his fitness levels get rid of Carlo Ancelotti’s headache, no longer does the Italian coach have to sit and stew over possible combinations, rotations or substitutions: Lucas Vázquez, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger and Mendy will be the back line - he has no other options left.

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As for Courtois, his participation at Balaídos is more touch-and-go, with the goalkeeper recovering from an adductor injury also sustained during the derbi. Lunin is said to have gotten over his stomach bug while Vinicius Jr is set for more time on the sidelines. As for Brahim, his objective is the Clásico at the end of the month and all the rest of the players are not set to be seen in the short term.

It’s not much of a conundrum for Carlo as to who to play in the next few games but what must be a concern is how seemingly fragile his squad is and how thin it looks once some key pieces are taken away. Playing chess is hard enough but playing with 7 less pieces and not knowing exactly what you’ve done to anger the Gods is a frustration that must be sending his eyebrow northbound even during an international break.