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Real Madrid’s Injury Crisis Deepens After Humiliating 5-2 Atletico Defeat
- Subscription Customers Only] Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso looks dejected after a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images

Oh, where do we even begin with this absolute disaster? Real Madrid just got schooled by their neighbors in what can only be described as a masterclass in how to completely fall apart when it matters most. The 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Atletico Madrid wasn’t just embarrassing—it was a wake-up call that Los Blancos might not be the untouchable giants everyone thought they were.

But here’s the kicker: the scoreline might actually be the least of their worries right now. Because while fans were busy picking their jaws up off the floor after watching their team get absolutely demolished, the real nightmare was unfolding in the medical department.

Madrid’s Defensive Wall Crumbles in Real Time

Let’s be brutally honest here—watching Real Madrid’s defense during this match was like watching a house of cards collapse in slow motion. You knew it was going to happen, but somehow it was still shocking when it actually did.

Éder Militão, who was supposed to be one of the reliable pillars at the back, hobbled off at halftime after what looked like a nasty ankle injury. The Brazilian defender went down after making a last-ditch tackle on Alexander Sørloth, and frankly, the way he was grimacing didn’t exactly inspire confidence about a quick recovery.

Then, as if the football gods weren’t done laughing at Madrid’s expense, Dani Carvajal got pulled in the 59th minute with his own injury concerns. Xabi Alonso had to throw Eduardo Camavinga into the mix as an emergency right-back, which is basically like asking a race car driver to pilot a submarine—technically possible, but probably not going to end well.

The Perfect Storm of Injuries Hits Madrid Again

Here’s where things get really fun (if you’re not a Madrid fan, that is). This isn’t just a case of bad luck—this is starting to look like a pattern that would make even the most optimistic supporters break out in a cold sweat.

Real Madrid is already dealing with a defensive crisis that would make other clubs weep. Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy are all currently enjoying extended vacations in the infirmary. Now, with Militão and Carvajal potentially joining the injury parade, Alonso might as well start looking into whether any of the ball boys have defensive experience.

The situation is so dire that David Alaba—who’s managed a whopping 10 minutes this season—is suddenly looking like a crucial piece of the puzzle. When you’re relying on a player who’s barely seen the field, you know you’re in trouble.

Makeshift Solutions and Desperate Measures

Remember last season when Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde had to play musical chairs with defensive positions? Well, get ready for the sequel nobody asked for. These two midfielders might find themselves once again masquerading as defenders, which is about as reassuring as using duct tape to fix a broken dam.

The real kicker? Summer arrival Dean Huijsen and academy product Raúl Asencio are suddenly looking like key players in Madrid’s defensive setup. Nothing says “we’re in deep trouble” quite like having to rely on untested youngsters to shore up your backline in crucial matches.

Atletico’s Statement Performance Exposes Madrid’s Vulnerability

While Madrid was busy falling apart, Atletico Madrid put on a clinic that had their fans singing in the streets. Five goals past Thibaut Courtois? That’s not just a victory—that’s a statement written in capital letters and underlined three times.

The performance exposed every crack in Madrid’s armor, from their shaky defense to their inability to cope when things start going wrong. It wasn’t just the goals either; it was the way Atletico dismantled their supposedly superior neighbors with the kind of ruthless efficiency that makes rival fans dream sweet dreams.

The Coaching Conundrum for Alonso

Poor Xabi Alonso. The guy probably thought he was getting his dream job when he took over the Madrid reins, but right now, he’s looking like he inherited a beautiful sports car with no engine. How do you fix a team when half your players are in the medical room and the other half just got embarrassed on national television?

The Spanish coach is facing the same injury crisis that ultimately cost Carlo Ancelotti his job. The irony is almost too perfect—Madrid brought in a new face to solve old problems, only to watch those same issues rear their ugly head again.

The tactical headaches are already mounting. With a paper-thin defense and midfielders being asked to play out of position, Alonso’s going to need some serious creativity to keep this season from completely derailing.

What This Means for Madrid’s Season

Let’s not sugarcoat this—Real Madrid’s season just took a massive hit, and we’re not even halfway through. The injury list is reading like a hospital roster, the defense looks about as solid as wet cardboard, and their supposedly untouchable aura just got shattered by their biggest rivals.

The Champions League is still on the horizon, and with Barcelona looking strong in La Liga, Madrid can’t afford many more performances like this. The pressure is mounting, the injuries are piling up, and suddenly that pre-season optimism is starting to look pretty naive.

But here’s the thing about Real Madrid—they’ve been written off before, and somehow they always seem to find a way to bounce back. Whether they can do it this time with half their defense in the treatment room remains to be seen.

The coming weeks will be crucial. Madrid needs these injured players back, they need their remaining stars to step up, and they need to find some defensive stability before their season completely spirals out of control.

Because right now, watching Real Madrid is like watching a slow-motion car crash—you can’t look away, but you’re pretty sure it’s not going to end well.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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