Real Madrid have suffered another injury blow with right-back Dani Carvajal set to be sidelined for a month after sustaining a calf problem in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Granada.
Madrid preserved their spot at the top of LaLiga with Saturday’s victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo on target for Carlo Ancelotti’s men as they stayed ahead of Girona on goal difference.
However, Los Blancos suffered a blow as long-serving defender Carvajal failed to re-emerge after half-time, being replaced by Lucas Vazquez.
On Monday, the club confirmed Carvajal had suffered an injury to the soleus muscle in his left leg, with reports suggesting he could be sidelined for around a month.
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That timeframe would rule Carvajal out of a UEFA Champions League trip to Union Berlin as well as league games against Real Betis, Villarreal, Alaves and Mallorca either side of Christmas, though it would allow the Spain international to return for their Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Atletico Madrid on January 10.
Carvajal becomes the latest big name on a lengthy Madrid injury list, joining the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior.
Carvajal medical report.#RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. ???????????????? (@realmadriden) December 4, 2023
While Courtois and Militao are long-term absentees with anterior cruciate ligament injuries, Vinicius may not return until February after sustaining a hamstring tear.
Madrid also had a fitness concern over England’s Jude Bellingham prior to the November international break, but the midfielder has since played Los Blancos’ last three games, registering a goal and an assist in a stellar Champions League performance against Napoli last week.
Ancelotti’s team are back in action on Saturday when they visit seventh-placed Betis in LaLiga, with Vazquez likely to deputise for Carvajal on the right side of their defence.
