Disaster! Real Madrid left with just one centre-back
Real Madrid's defensive crisis has reached a critical point ahead of their return to LaLiga action.
Details: According to Marca, Ibrahima Konaté will not recover in time for Real Madrid's home match against Villarreal on October 10. The French centre-back is still recovering from the right-knee injury he suffered while on international duty and will not be risked for the first game after the break.
Konaté's absence leaves José Mourinho with Antonio Rüdiger as the only fully available specialist centre-back from the first team. Dean Huijsen is suspended following his red card in the derby, Raúl Asencio has undergone surgery on a stress fracture in his right shin, while Éder Militão has only recently returned to group training after a lengthy rehabilitation and is not expected to be ready for Villarreal.
The situation could force Mourinho into an emergency solution. Aurélien Tchouaméni is one of the main candidates to drop into central defence alongside Rüdiger, a role the French midfielder has already performed for Real Madrid in the past. The coaching staff could also consider other first-team players or turn to the academy.
It is worth noting that Real Madrid's official website currently lists Konaté with seven appearances and 630 minutes for the club in the 2026/27 season. The French defender has yet to register a goal or an assist.
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Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
