Actual Madrid have been dealt an early-season blow with Trent Alexander-Arnold anticipated to overlook round two months after choosing up a hamstring harm within the Champions League win over Marseille.
The England worldwide pulled up simply 4 minutes into Tuesday’s match on the Santiago Bernabeu, clutching the again of his left thigh earlier than being changed by Dani Carvajal.
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Medical exams have since muscle injury, and in Spain recommend the restoration time can be between six and eight weeks.
That will sideline Alexander-Arnold for not less than eight matches, together with the Madrid derby in opposition to Atletico and the primary Clasico of the season in opposition to Barcelona on the finish of October.
His return to Anfield for a high-profile league-stage conflict with Liverpool in early November can also be unsure.
The timing is especially irritating for the 26-year-old, who joined Madrid from Liverpool in the summertime and had been easing into life beneath Xabi Alonso.
He has began simply two La Liga fixtures to date however was seen as a key long-term addition at right-back. His absence now leaves Madrid skinny in defence at an important stage of the marketing campaign.
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Carvajal will shoulder a lot of the load in his absence, however the 33-year-old is coming off a long-term knee harm and picked up a pink card late on in opposition to Marseille that would see him miss European motion.
Alonso may have to show to makeshift options, with Fede Valverde and academy graduate Jesus Fortea among the many choices to offer cowl.
Alexander-Arnold’s layoff additionally poses questions for England. With one other spherical of World Cup qualifiers on the horizon in October, Thomas Tuchel can be monitoring his progress intently, although a return seems unsure.
For Madrid supporters, the setback comes as a reminder of how rapidly fortunes can change.
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Alexander-Arnold was billed as one of many marquee signings of the summer season, and whereas his long-term significance to the squad is just not unsure, he should now watch from the sidelines as his staff navigate a congested fixture record.