One other participant misplaced by Xabi Alonso.
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The roar of the derby defeat nonetheless echoes across the Santiago Bernabéu. A surprising 2-5 loss to arch-rivals Atlético Madrid has not solely bruised the delight of Actual Madrid however has additionally bodily taken its toll, casting a shadow over their preparations for the upcoming Champions League fixture.
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Because the workforce shifts its focus to Europe, it should accomplish that with no key pillar of its protection. The official squad record for the match towards Kairat Almaty revealed a big absence: Éder Militão. Reviews verify the Brazilian center-back is grappling with a extreme ankle contusion, an damage anticipated to sideline him for the approaching days.
This defensive blow compounds an current tactical conundrum. On the different finish of the pitch, the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé continues to be a solitary beacon. Whereas the French ahead is in scintillating type, weaving magic and discovering the web with outstanding consistency, his efforts are sometimes remoted. The search to forge a cohesive attacking symphony round their star man stays an unresolved problem for the Madrid teaching employees.
The instant consequence of the derby debacle is a fall from grace within the home league. The reigning giants have been dethroned from the summit, now sitting second. With 18 factors from seven outings, they discover themselves trying up, trailing the brand new league leaders by a single, tantalizing level—a stark reminder of how shortly fortunes can change.