Real Madrid have confirmed a third defensive injury in 24 hours with news of a fresh knee problem for David Alaba.
Tuesday was a particularly bruising day for Madrid, who saw Antonio Rudiger ruled out for up to two months after undergoing knee surgery - the German is suspended for that period anyway - and left-back Ferland Mendy struck down for up to 12 weeks.
Now, Alaba has joined the pair on the sidelines. The Austrian limped off against Getafe but dispelled fears of an injury by taking a place on the bench for the Copa del Rey final, but the sight of reserve option Jesus Vallejo warming up ahead of him raised significant concerns.
Further checks have confirmed Alaba has torn the meniscus in his left knee - the same knee in which an ACL tear kept him sidelined between December 2023 and January 2025.
Spanish publication AS state Alaba is due to spend between six to eight weeks on the sidelines recovering. His La Liga campaign is over but there is confidence he will be available for the Club World Cup in June, although just what role he will be capable of playing is an entirely different debate.
Madrid will, therefore, finish the season with just four senior defenders: Vallejo, Raul Asensio, Fran Garcia and Lucas Vazquez.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti is expected to throw midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into defence for the remainder of the season, setting the Frenchman up alongside Asencio and keeping Vallejo on the bench for the final five games of the campaign.
Madrid are still in the race for the La Liga title but must close a gap of four points to Barcelona, who they will face on May 11 after a visit from Celta Vigo this weekend.
Mallorca, Sevilla and Real Sociedad are the other sides who will look to capitalise on Madrid's struggles before the end of the campaign.
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