The winter transfer window has barely closed its doors when planning for the next transfer period is already on the table. To govern is to plan. Florentino Perez knows the formula and especially his role as manager of Real Madrid. A few hours before hosting Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu (6:30 p.m.), a match which risks swinging La Liga in one direction or the other, the capital club is already experiencing a trying season, which is leaving its mark.
The numerous injuries (Alaba, Militao for long periods, without forgetting Courtois, Nacho, Rüdiger, Camavinga and Mendy also experienced various problems) in defense force Carlo Ancelotti to have to innovate almost every weekend. Tchouameni, for example, was forced to play as a central hinge three times. In 33 matches in all competitions, the Italian coach fielded 18 different defensive quartets.
Rafa Marin will make his return
The Madrid technician, who has seen others however, couldn’t believe it after Alaba’s injury last December. “3 cruciate ligaments in 4 months, it’s incredible.” The slaughter seems endless. When a player returns from the infirmary, another replaces him. This is again the case for tonight’s summit clash. The Tchouameni-Rüdiger pair was expected, but Real Madrid has just announced the German’s injury for two weeks. Result, in the absence of Nacho it is most likely Carvajal who will be associated with the Frenchman…
An observation is already evident. 4 central defenders have not been enough for this season. According to A.S., Casa Blanca has already made the decision to repatriate Rafa Marin for next year. The young defender (21 years old) shows good things during his loan to Alavés, currently 11th in Liga, after being courted by PSG. It should be integrated into the squad rotation at the start of the school year. This decision implies another. The arrival of significant reinforcement at this position (Inacio, Pacho, Yoro, Scalvini are mentioned) will not occur before the summer of 2025.
