David Alaba's recent adductor injury has cast another shadow over Real Madrid's already beleaguered defense as the club approaches a pivotal segment of the season.
On February 4, 2025, the Austrian defender, who had only just returned from a lengthy injury layoff, suffered damage to his left adductor during training. Confirming the bad news, Real Madrid stated, "After medical examinations, our player David Alaba has been diagnosed with an adductor injury in his left leg. His progress is being monitored." This leaves Alaba expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
The timing of this injury couldn’t be worse for Los Blancos. They are set to face several significant matches, including the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey against Leganés, a derby with Atlético Madrid, and the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League where they will take on Manchester City.
It's been reported by journalists like Miguel Ángel Díaz of the Diario AS how Alaba's absence adds to the growing injury woes of Real Madrid. Alaba joins teammates Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rüdiger on the injury list, straining the squad's defensive resources. Díaz noted, "The injuries of long duration to Carvajal and Militao have seriously impacted the team's backline."
Alaba's injury highlights the precarious physical demands placed on professional footballers. According to Vicente de la Varga, a trauma specialist at Cadme, such injuries often result from the intense biomechanical stresses players face when kicking. He elaborated, "One of the functions of the quadriceps is to extend the knee when we kick the ball, and this makes these types of injuries very frequent among footballers."
The specifics of Alaba's injury fall under common grades of muscle strain. Varga elaborated on different severities of adductor injuries, explaining, "Grado 2 is the typical muscle tear experienced during sports like football, which impacts functional capability immediately." Alaba is likely facing this injury grade, which could entail three to four weeks of recovery.
The impact of Alaba's injury extends far beyond his personal misfortune. The upcoming fixture list for Real Madrid poses significant challenges, particularly with the club striving to maintain its position across all competitions. Without Alaba, coach Carlo Ancelotti has very few options at his disposal. At the moment, Raúl Astencio and Aurélien Tchouaméni will likely bear the brunt of the defensive responsibilities.
The squad's defensive depth has been severely tested with Alaba's situation reminiscent of the club’s earlier struggles last season, where Alaba himself endured over 399 days away from competitive football due to knee issues. Each setback complicates efforts to fend off competing teams vying for tournament advancement.
Prior to this injury, Alaba had returned to action not long ago, having played just hours with the team. His experience was seen as pivotal for the upcoming matches, especially the Champions League knockout phase against one of Europe's heavyweight clubs. Now, Ancelotti must adapt his strategy on the fly.
Real Madrid's approach to the transfer market has been characterized by restraint, with the decision not to seek new signings to help bolster the fragile defensive roster. This decision may be turning out to be short-sighted as several championship games loom on the horizon.
With Alaba set to miss not just the Copa clash but also the key league match against Atlético Madrid and the first leg against Manchester City, fans and pundits alike are now questioning whether the remaining squad members can step up to fill the void. The situation may compel Ancelotti to use younger players from the club's cantera (youth academy), such as promising talent Jacobo Ramón, potentially thrusting him under the spotlight.
The ramifications of Alaba's return to injury highlight the fragile state of the current Real Madrid roster. What initially sparked hope for Alaba's return has now shifted to concern as supporters brace for what could be another challenging period for the club.