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Actual Madrid confronted Espanyol in Matchday 22 of the 2024-25 La Liga season on the RCDE Stadium, aiming to keep up their place on the prime of the desk. Carlo Ancelotti fielded his strongest attainable lineup, however an early setback struck the group as Antonio Rudiger was compelled off the pitch with an damage, elevating issues forward of the essential Champions League showdown in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
Regardless of dealing with relegation-threatened Espanyol, Ancelotti opted for a full-strength squad, handing Rudiger the captain’s armband. The group began nicely, creating early possibilities, however their momentum was disrupted by an surprising damage blow.
Simply 13 minutes into the sport, Rudiger was visibly struggling, repeatedly clutching his proper hamstring. The difficulty worsened when he tried to dam a cross from Jofre Carreras—as quickly as he landed, he went to the bottom, signaling for a substitution.
The German defender was changed by Raul Asencio within the fifteenth minute, strolling off the pitch unassisted, providing a glimmer of aid. Nonetheless, as a substitute of becoming a member of his teammates on the bench, he headed straight to the locker room, seemingly for fast medical analysis.
Actual Madrid’s medical employees will now assess the severity of Rudiger’s damage, however the timing couldn’t be worse. The membership faces a high-stakes Madrid derby in opposition to Atletico on February 8, adopted simply three days later by the first leg of the Champions League knockout spherical in opposition to Manchester Metropolis on February 11.
With Ancelotti already navigating a season suffering from defensive accidents, shedding considered one of his most dependable defenders at such a vital stage poses a significant setback for Actual Madrid’s ambitions.
Who might substitute Rudiger?
Regardless of a crippling damage disaster in protection, Actual Madrid didn’t make any strikes within the January switch window, leaving Ancelotti with restricted choices:
Aurelien Tchouameni, primarily a midfielder, has been deployed as a makeshift center-back however has struggled to totally adapt to the function.Jesus Vallejo, regardless of being a pure center-back, has performed only one sport all season and lacks match health.Raul Asencio, the 21-year-old who changed Rudiger, remains to be inexperienced on the highest degree.
The logical alternative to interchange Rudiger can be David Alaba, a seasoned defender able to matching the German’s high quality and management. Nonetheless, Alaba’s personal damage struggles complicate the state of affairs—he has performed simply 4 matches prior to now yr after recovering from a knee damage that sidelined him for 499 days.
With Manchester Metropolis looming, Ancelotti faces a significant defensive dilemma. Whether or not Rudiger can get better in time or not, Actual Madrid’s backline might want to step as much as face up to the problem of Pep Guardiola’s aspect.
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