Dani Carvajal has been diagnosed with an injury to the soleus muscle of his right leg and will be out for 4 weeks

Real Madrid is currently facing a significant defensive dilemma after Dani Carvajal sustained a calf injury during the recent Madrid derby, which is expected to keep him off the pitch for approximately a month. Compounding this issue is the ongoing absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is anticipated to remain sidelined for up to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury. As a result, Los Blancos find themselves without any natural right-back options, compelling coach Xabi Alonso to explore makeshift solutions ahead of a critical stretch of matches that could significantly impact their season’s trajectory.

On Sunday, it was confirmed by Real Madrid that their captain, Carvajal, experienced a muscle injury in his right leg during the adverse match against Atletico Madrid. At 32 years old, Carvajal has been a stalwart in defense, and his unexpected setback adds to the club’s mounting challenges. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold’s recovery has been delayed, with hopes pinned on a return by late November. This dual absence puts tremendous pressure on the squad, especially with major fixtures approaching.

The right-back conundrum has reopened a discussion that seemed settled with the signing of Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal’s return from earlier injuries. The available alternatives are sparse. While Federico Valverde could temporarily fill in the role, he has expressed reluctance to do so after having been previously utilized in defense. Another potential candidate is Raul Asencio, a promising 22-year-old, who may be thrust into action to gain valuable experience under high-stakes conditions.

This injury crisis could not have come at a worse time as the ramifications of their heavy defeat against Atletico Madrid grow more serious, particularly with Barcelona poised to overtake Real Madrid in the league standings if the situation does not improve. The timing of Carvajal’s absence is especially troubling, as it coincides with the buildup to the highly anticipated El Clasico on October 26. The lack of fit full-backs could leave Alonso scrambling for a tailored solution when facing their arch-rivals, a match that often serves as a defining moment within the season.

In reviewing past seasons, this scenario bears resemblance to January’s Champions League encounter against Salzburg when Real Madrid had no choice but to deploy Federico Valverde defensively. Given the tight schedule of important matches ahead, including various Champions League fixtures, Alonso is now presented with the urgent task of restructuring his defensive lineup. He will likely need to experiment with multiple short-term fixes in the forthcoming weeks until one or both of the injured full-backs can return to play.

The stakes are particularly high for Real Madrid’s title aspirations, which may heavily depend on how effectively they navigate this challenging period without a recognized right-back. As they embark on this critical phase of the season, the team’s adaptability, tactical ingenuity, and resilience will be put to the test, and both supporters and analysts will be watching keenly to see how this situation unfolds. Each match during this busy stretch will be pivotal, shaping the discourse surrounding the team and their ambitions for the rest of the season.