Real Madrid are heading into the start of the new La Liga season with an early concern at the heart of their defence, as injuries have left Jose Mourinho with only three fit senior centre-backs for the opening match against Espanyol.
According to AS, Eder Militao is still recovering from the long-term injury issues that affected him last season, while Raul Asencio is expected to spend around six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a thigh problem during pre-season.
The situation means Real Madrid could begin their La Liga campaign relying on Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen and summer signing Ibrahima Konate as their only available first-team options in central defence.
Militao and Asencio injuries leave Mourinho short
Real Madrid’s defensive depth has taken a hit before the competitive season has even properly begun.
On paper, Mourinho has five recognised centre-backs in his first-team squad, but two of them are unavailable for the Espanyol clash.
Real Madrid only have three fit senior defenders for La Liga opener. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Militao remains on the road to recovery and is not yet ready to return to action, while Asencio’s thigh injury is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
That leaves Mourinho with little room for rotation during the opening phase of the La Liga season.
The biggest question will surround Konate’s readiness. The new Real Madrid signing still has time to work on his fitness, with two weeks and a pre-season friendly against Schalke available before the league campaign gets underway.
Huijsen, meanwhile, is expected to be an important figure once again.
A minor muscle issue kept him out of the team’s first official match, but he was Real Madrid’s most-used centre-back last season and could now be asked to take on a major role from the very beginning.
Joan Martinez could get his chance in La Liga under Mourinho. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)
Rudiger completes Mourinho’s available senior trio.
The German defender also dealt with knee problems last season, although he has recently returned to action, playing 45 minutes against Ferencváros before starting the match against Deportivo.
Joan Martinez and Mario Rivas impress Mourinho in pre-season
The lack of available defenders has also opened the door for Real Madrid’s younger players, with Joan Martinez and Mario Rivas having caught Mourinho’s attention during pre-season.
Both youngsters started in the club’s first two friendly matches and have given the Portuguese coach another option as he prepares for the opening weeks of the campaign.
With only three fit senior centre-backs currently available, one of Martinez or Rivas could be required to step up as the fourth central defender in the squad.