## The Curse Still Falls on Real Madrid
In the world of elite football, international breaks are a double-edged sword. While they provide a stage for national pride, clubs dread the potential injuries that can arise during these breaks. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as the “FIFA virus,” continues to plague distinguished clubs, igniting conflicts with national federations. Real Madrid, a team keenly aware of these repercussions, yet again found itself at the mercy of adversity during the latest international window.
### Éder Militão’s Injury Woes
Real Madrid bore the brunt of these injuries as Éder Militão, the Brazilian central defender, had to leave the field injured during a friendly match against Tunisia. Suffering from a muscle injury to his right adductor, Militão’s status for upcoming matches remains uncertain. The club reported that if it’s not a long-term injury, he would miss about two weeks. However, for a team that relies heavily on its backline, every absence feels monumental.
### The Struggles of Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid’s head coach, faces a significant challenge with a decimated central defense. Before Militão’s injury, he had already been grappling with the absence of Dean Huijsen, who also suffered muscle problems and missed national matches. With Huijsen’s participation in the weekend clash against Elche still in question, Alonso’s tactical plans have taken a considerable hit.
If Huijsen can play, there’s the risk he might not be at full capacity, having faced criticism for his recent performances. The uncertainty in the lineup presents Alonso with a complicated and precarious puzzle to solve at a pivotal moment in the season.
### Compounded Defensive Misfortunes
The situation doesn’t stop at Militão and Huijsen. Antonio Rüdiger is still in recovery from his mid-September injury, making him unavailable for selection. Compounding these woes, David Alaba—considered the team’s fifth central defender—did not participate in his own national team’s recent match, raising further questions about his current fitness and availability.
### Approaching Matches and the Urgency for Results
Despite the challenges ahead, Real Madrid’s upcoming schedule features relatively manageable opponents, with matches against Elche, Olympiakos, and Girona. However, given the results before the international break, there is little room for error. Xabi Alonso will need to execute a strategy that mitigates the ongoing injury headache while aiming for maximum points.
As past seasons have shown, the curse of defensive injuries seems to manifest inexplicably at crucial junctures. With every passing week, the narrative of “the curse falling on Real Madrid’s defense” becomes more pervasive. The club must navigate these tumultuous waters with ingenuity and resilience while hoping for timely recoveries.
### Conclusion
The repercussions of international breaks on club football cannot be overstated, especially for teams like Real Madrid. As injuries stack up, coaches like Xabi Alonso are left with the unenviable task of patching together a competitive side. The coming weeks will prove crucial, not just for results, but for the psychological resilience of a team that has faced adversity far too often in recent seasons.