Real Madrid’s current season has been marked by an avalanche of injuries, a situation that is worrying fans and coaching staff alike. Carlo Ancelotti has already recorded more than 27 injuries this season. Only seven players in the current squad are injury-free.

In just 23 games played, Real Madrid have suffered 27 injuries, an eloquent figure that foreshadows a testing season. This already critical situation has been exacerbated by Kylian Mbappé’s recent injury during the match against Atalanta in Bergamo. This has raised doubts about the method employed by Real Madrid’s renowned fitness coach, Pintus.

Indeed, some of the absences are particularly alarming. David Alaba, for example, is suffering from a serious knee injury sustained last year and has not returned to the pitch. Young players such as Palacios and Joan Martínez, brought into the first team after the summer tour of the United States, have also joined the long list of injured players. With these absences, Real Madrid could surpass the already unenviable record of 48 injuries recorded last season.

Seven Real Madrid players spared from injury

Despite this scourge, seven Real Madrid players are still managing to avoid the infirmary. They include Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Arda Güler, Endrick and Andriy Lunin. The latter, despite suffering from gastroenteritis in October, has not had any major physical injuries.

These players represent an exception in a team marked by an alarming average absence rate. The other 15 members of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad alone have missed 94 games, a statistic that sufficiently highlights the seriousness of the situation. Fran García, for example, has become an indispensable starter on the left side of defence thanks to his dazzling physical condition.

Luka Modric, meanwhile, continues to defy the laws of time by avoiding injury despite being 39 years old. Real Madrid will have to rely on these injury-free players to maintain their ambitions in all competitions. The Champions League, where Los Merengues have a wealth of experience, remains a key objective. However, maintaining a high level of performance on several fronts seems compromised by injuries.

Real Madrid’s infernal fixture list under fire

This wave of injuries is beginning to seriously annoy Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez. The busy schedule, combined with international matches, is imposing a frenetic pace that is increasing the risk of muscular and joint injuries. The Valdebebas medical staff will have to redouble their efforts to prevent further absences. Kylian Mbappé, who is currently out for 10 days, raised the issue in an exclusive interview with Canal+.

‘The pace of matches? There’s a lot of talk about that, but I have a different view. You want us to play? Fine, we’ll play. But the problem is that we don’t have time to recover. If you want us to play a lot of games, put them on the calendar, it’s up to you. You want us to play 70 games? We’ll play them. I’ve heard rumours that we’re refusing to play. I want to play every game. But you can’t tell me that in mid-July we’re playing in the Euro semi-finals and at the end of July we’re starting the season all over again,’ Kylian Mbappé pestered before continuing.

‘In the NBA, they have 4 months off and they play 82 games. Léon Marchand didn’t go to the World Championships. Antoine Dupont had two months off. We go away for two months, we get very tired, the season ends, we come back and we play again straight away. How can you play again? At the end of the two-week holiday, they analyse us in minute detail to see how we’re doing, whether we’ve made the most of the holiday… Well yes, I’ve made the most of the holiday! Out of the two weeks, one week is devoted to relaxing and going out, and the other week to preparing for the return. It’s normal for players to be fed up with muscular injuries,’ he added.

In any case, Real Madrid have overcome periods of crisis in the past. However, this season promises to be a major test for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad. The gradual return of the injured could offer a breath of fresh air, but every day that passes without another major injury will already be considered a victory.