Militao's Setback: Real Madrid Gears Up to Defend Without a Key Pillar

Militao's Injury and Madrid's Defensive Dilemma

Real Madrid suffered a heavy blow at a crucial juncture of the season as the club confirmed Éder Militao has a muscle tear in the right adductor magnus. The injury is expected to sideline him for about two weeks, complicating the royal's preparation for the upcoming trip to Manchester City on December 10 at the Bernabéu in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg.

According to AS, the injury occurred during Brazil's friendly against Tunisia, when Militao felt a sharp pain in the second minute. He contemplated an early substitution but decided to press on, thinking it was a mere cramp. He left the pitch in the 58th minute, visibly limping and rubbing the thigh, as Brazil's medical staff reacted.

Back in Madrid, Militao underwent meticulous tests at Valdebebas, which confirmed a Grade II tear of the adductor magnus. While the injury is not life threatening and usually does not require surgery, the expected absence of around 15 days represents a major obstacle for the Spanish giants in this stretch of fixtures.

Recovery Road, Squad Depth, and The Road Ahead

Madrid will be without Militao for at least four games away from home: Elche in La Liga, Olympiacos in the Champions League, Girona in La Liga, and Athletic Bilbao at San Mames. The fifth clash against Celta Vigo at the Bernabéu could see him return for a few minutes if recovery goes perfectly. The medical team's main objective is to have him fully fit for the decisive tie with City, hoping to avoid repeating painful lessons from big matches this season.

AS stresses that Militao's absence is a significant blow on both technical and psychological levels. The Brazilian has become a pillar of the center-back pairing, providing stability and confidence in high-pressure games. The latest updates also show that coach Xabi Alonso praised Militao after beating Juventus in the Champions League, noting that Militao has regained strong sensations and will continue to improve. The numbers support the assessment: Militao leads the team in aerial wins (34), wins two-thirds of his defensive duels (50 of 75), and even scored the decisive header versus Espanyol. He has started nine matches this season (1080 minutes), making him the eighth-most used Madrid player and the center-back with the most minutes (surpassing Alaba by 36).

Meanwhile, the injury list includes other notable names, with Rudiger and Tchouaméni nearing returns and Mastantuono’s timeline showing improvement. The club notes that while Militao’s absence is significant, the squad’s depth remains a focal point as Madrid prepare for a demanding run of fixtures.

In this context, the door opens for the young Raúl Asensio to take on a larger role in central defense. He has already started against Osasuna and was involved in a crucial moment for Jude Bellingham in his first official appearance. With Alaba’s form fluctuation and fresher legs needed across the backline, Asensio’s chances rise. In an interview on Real Madrid's official channel, Asensio praised Militao and Mbappé, saying he knows how difficult it is to score from that angle against Espanyol and stressing how much he values playing for Madrid. He added that he lives day by day at the club and understands its worth.

Ultimately, Real Madrid face a real test of squad depth in the coming weeks, hoping Militao returns as soon as possible to lead the defense in the crucial clash with City.

Punchline 1: Militao out for two weeks? Madrid’s defense just filed a missing-jersey report—somebody hide the goals before they vanish.

Punchline 2: Without Militao, the back line still has a shot—just not a straight one, more like a zigzag of hope.