The defeat against AC Milan also has health consequences for Real Madrid: midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been injured – before important weeks.
Real Madrid’s performance on Tuesday evening – they went into the catacombs trailing 1-2 – had already justified a double substitution after 45 minutes. It was therefore not surprising that Carlo Ancelotti did not send Fede Valverde (back problems) or Aurelien Tchouameni onto the pitch a second time, although the Italian usually prefers to make late substitutions, if any at all.
However, the Frenchman’s withdrawal was not only for sporting or tactical reasons, as it turned out the day after the painful 3-1 defeat to AC Milan. The Spanish champions and Champions League title defenders announced in a typically concise statement that Tchouameni, who recently captained the French national team, has a sprained left ankle.
As usual, the Royal side did not provide an injury time frame, but Spanish media report approximately four weeks. This means that the key player will definitely be out for the difficult CL game at Liverpool FC (November 27), and the game at Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo (December 10) is also in jeopardy.
Is Real in danger of not progressing?
In the new Champions League table, Real Madrid are currently only ranked 17th with six points after four match days, and other teams can still overtake the stumbling giants on Wednesday. Real’s duels with Liverpool and Atalanta, both away, will probably be quite decisive. On the last two match days, they face RB Salzburg (H) and Stade Brest (A).
In Tchouameni, the Madrilenians will have to do without a key player in central midfield, especially in defense, but who is currently struggling to find his form this season. The 24-year-old has so far rarely provided the desired stability for his team, and the Casemiro heir has had little impact in offense. For the time being, his position is likely to be taken by fellow countryman Eduardo Camavinga.