Éder Militão’s injury raises alarms: Will Real Madrid survive without him?

Éder Militão's injury has really made things hectic in Real Madrid. Indeed, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the quadriceps of his left leg. Due to that fact, Militão was obliged to leave Brazil's national team and was replaced by Fabrício Bruno. The news sent Real Madrid fans on edge, and also their medical staff. Not all, though, is bad news. The injury isn't serious, and he might be back on the field in just about 10 days.

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This would be an important recuperation period-first, there's the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund on the 22nd, and then an el clasico with Barcelona on the 26th.

Impact

Militão first felt discomfort during Real Madrid's Champions League loss to Lille midweek. Already, his left thigh had shown signs of trouble; yet he played on in Saturday's match against Villarreal, although he was on the bench to begin the game. He came on in the second half and finished it with greater muscle discomfort in his left thigh. After joining Brazil's national team, the tests confirmed the muscle injury and he was pulled out of the squad. With that in mind, Brazil's coaching staff didn't want to gamble, and called in a replacement, Flamengo's Fabrício Bruno.

Now that Real Madrid has officially confirmed the diagnosis, the big concern will fall on his recovery timeline. While 10 days off may seem not that long, in such a grueling season, where clubs are playing almost twice a week, losing Militão might prove to be a real headache for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

An injury list that keeps on growing: Militão, makeshift right-back?

In addition to the loss of Militão for a few games, Real Madrid suffered yet another severe blow with right-back Dani Carvajal falling seriously injured. With this run of injuries, Ancelotti is forced to find alternative solutions, and when Militão recovers, he could be one of them at right-back.

This would not be any new territory for the Brazilian. Militão has played in stretches as a right-back in important moments and proved that his versatility is a huge weapon to the team. However, this possible improvisation also exposes Real Madrid to other challenges. Militão is a cornerstone in the center of the defense, something taking him out wide would weaken at the core of the rear.

The problem with this improvisation is that, with a string of decisive matches ahead, it begs the key question: how much is Real Madrid willing to sacrifice a key defensive piece to cover another position? That is going to be quite an important dilemma for Ancelotti in the coming weeks.