Aurélien Tchouaméni has become a serious concern for Real Madrid. The club confirmed that the French midfielder will be sidelined for at least three weeks after suffering a muscle injury in his left thigh during the loss to Liverpool in the Champions League. The diagnosis was made on Thursday by the club’s medical staff, who stated that the player is already under supervised recovery. The news hit Valdebebas like a bucket of cold water and leaves coach Xabi Alonso with a real problem in midfield.
The Frenchman won’t travel to Vallecas, where Real Madrid face Rayo Vallecano this Sunday, and it’s unlikely he’ll return before the match against Olympiacos in Athens on November 26. The goal is to have him back just in time for the Champions League.
The absence that changes Real Madrid
Tchouaméni has become the gear that keeps Real Madrid’s midfield running. His absence changes the way the team behaves on the field. Alonso had been managing the midfielder’s minutes carefully, trying to avoid exactly this kind of physical issue. In the 4–0 win over Valencia, he played only the first half, precisely to be preserved. But the string of high-intensity matches has finally taken its toll.
Real Madrid now need quick solutions. Fede Valverde underwent tests after feeling discomfort during the defeat to Liverpool, but the results showed no injury.
A test of physical and mental management
It’s a delicate moment. Real Madrid still have other players in the medical room: Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Franco Mastantuono, and David Alaba are all still recovering. It’s a long list for a team competing in three different tournaments.
Tchouaméni will also miss the next call-up for the French national team, which, on the other hand, gives Real Madrid more time to focus on his recovery. The club sees the international break as a chance to catch its breath before returning to Champions League action.