Real Madrid Stars Hit by Injury Crisis After Brutal Atlético Demolition

Real Madrid face concerns over the fitness of both Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal following injury worries that emerged during their clash with city rivals Atlético Madrid, according to reports.

The record 15-time European champions suffered a shocking defeat to their cross-town rivals on Saturday as Atlético Madrid netted five times past Thibaut Courtois, inflicting Los Blancos' maiden loss of the 2025–26 campaign.

Amid the turmoil of the one-sided Madrid derby, two worrying substitutions by Xabi Alonso went somewhat unnoticed. The Spanish manager withdrew Militão, who seemed to hurt his ankle during a desperate challenge on Alexander Sørloth, at the interval, bringing on Raúl Asencio in his place.

Carvajal was subsequently removed from action in the 59th minute, making way for Eduardo Camavinga, which left Asencio to cover the right-back position for the rest of the encounter.

Following the 5–2 thrashing, The Athletic's Guillermo Rai indicates that both Militão and Carvajal require additional assessment from Los Blancos' medical team over the next few days. The Brazilian is said to have sustained an ankle problem, while Carvajal is dealing with an issue in his right leg.

Another Defensive Injury Crisis for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid might be facing consecutive seasons with a depleted defensive unit. The Spanish powerhouse are already without Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy through injury, and could now lose two additional defenders in quick succession.

If Militão and Carvajal were to join their colleagues in the treatment room, Alonso would be left without a natural right-back and only three senior center-backs available. However, David Alaba has featured for merely 10 minutes this season, leaving summer signing Dean Huijsen and Asencio as the sole reliable choices for Alonso.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde might once more be compelled to operate at center-back and right-back positions respectively. These two midfield players spent the majority of the previous campaign completing Real Madrid's improvised defensive line.

Alonso will nervously await medical updates on Militão and Carvajal, hoping to prevent the injury epidemic that eventually led to Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal.