Real Madrid have confirmed that Brazilian defender Marcelo is out injured with a calf strain, and have not set a date for his return yet. The news is a big blow for Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane who already recieved the troubling news that Casemiro was out with a leg break, while Pepe is also struggling for fitness.
Confirming the news on their website, Real Madrid went into detail on Marcelo’s injury, noting that he had suffered a calf strain that should keep him out for the foreseeable future. Madrid did not set a return date for the Brazilian, revealing that Marcelo would continue to be monitored by Real Madrid’s medical team.
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Here is the statement Real Madrid issued on their website :
Following tests carried out today on Marcelo at the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 muscle strain in the soleus muscle of his right calf. His recovery will continue to be monitored.
Marcelo suffered the injury in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Valencia, having limped off in the first half. The average recovery time for a grade 2 muscle strain is between two or three weeks, which is sure to concern manager Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid have a packed schedule in that time period.
Madrid are facing an injury crisis defensively
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Las Palmas, the injury to Marcelo could not have come at a worse time for Real Madrid. Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane saw a record-equalling 16 consecutive wins in La Liga end with a troubling 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, although with Barcelona and Atletico drawing their game as well, Madrid were not punished.
However, with Casemiro also out with a leg break and Pepe still struggling to regain match fitness, Madrid head into a gruelling couple of weeks with a defensive crisis, with a tough trip to in form Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on the horizon.
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Zinedine Zidane does have Fabio Coentrao as back up for Marcelo at left-back, but the Portuguese full back is notoriously weak defensively, and hasn’t shone for Madrid after signing for them. However, with Real Madrid top of La Liga by 2 points, there should be enough wiggle room for Madrid to survive Marcelo’s loss.
