Real Madrid dealt blow as key midfielder picks up injury, set to be sidelined for a month - Reports
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has sprained his ankle and will be out for a month, the club have confirmed. The Frenchman picked up the injury during Tuesday's game against AC Milan in the Champions League (November 5), which the LaLiga giants lost 3-1.
Tchouameni was involved in a collision with former Los Blancos forward Alvaro Morata in the first half. It initially appeared that the incident wasn't serious and both players carried on.
However, Tchouameni was substituted at the break, with Brahim Diaz coming on in his place. The Frenchman was already having a day to forget on the pitch and appeared to limp off to the dressing room.
Following tests, it was concluded that the player had suffered an injury. Real Madrid announced the news via a statement on their website, which read:
“Following tests carried out today on our player Aurélien Tchouameni by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle. Pending evolution.”
While Los Blancos haven't defined a timeline for the player's return, the injury is likely to keep him out for around a month, according to Madrid Universal. Such a development could be a huge blow for the LaLiga giants, even though Tchouameni hasn't been in his element this season.
The Frenchman has appeared 15 times across competitions this campaign under Carlo Ancelotti, starting in all but one. However, his performances have largely been criticized, with fans even whistling at him at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Which other first-team stars are Real Madrid missing due to injuries this season?
Real Madrid have endured rotten luck with injuries in recent times. Last season, they were without Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba for much of the campaign. Both players missed multiple games due to ACL injuries.
The Belgian goalkeeper returned to action at the tail end of the season. However, he suffered an Adductor injury last month and is currently sidelined once again.
Alaba, meanwhile, is yet to regain full fitness and isn't expected to be back until the turn of the year, as per Transfermarkt. Los Blancos have already struggled at the back in the Austrian's absence.
However, the recent ACL injury to Dani Carvajal has only compounded the club's misery. The Spaniard isn't expected to play again this season, which is a big blow to Real Madrid's plans. As such, the latest news about Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to add to the despair at the Santiago Bernabeu.