Vinicius Junior scored a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu. Getting back to winning ways should be the headline but another injury has overshadowed the win.
During the first-half, center-back Eder Militao went down in the Osasuna box. The Brazilian looked in tremendous amount of pain with players from Real Madrid and Osasuna frantically waving for the medical services to tend to Militao.
Militao needed to be stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Real Madrid has since confirmed he suffered an ACL injury.
"Following tests carried out today on Eder Militao by Real Madrid's medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with damage to both meniscuses in his right leg. Militao will undergo surgery in the coming days," the statement read.
Militao is the second Real Madrid player to suffer an ACL injury with Dani Carvajal going down injured against Villarreal. Militao is set to miss the remainder of the season.
While his injury has been the worst, he wasn't the only Madrid player to be forced off with an injury against Osasuna. Rodrygo was forced off during the half and Lucas Vazquez was taken off during the halftime break.
"Three injuries in the first half is quite strange. The calendar is demanding and doesn't allow the players to rest. They go into games tired, so the risk of injuries is higher," Carlo Ancelotti said.
With the injury to Militao and to Lucas Vazquez, Madrid is short in defense. Vazquez was already playing in place of Carvajal. With David Alaba still making his way back from an ACL injury of his own, the only other option for Ancelotti at center-back is Jesus Vallejo who he hasn't counted on at all this season.
Rumors surfaced during the past week stating Real Madrid were going to try to bring a right-back in during the January transfer window. Given the injury to Militao, a center-back is certainly going to go on the list.