A recent report from AS offers encouraging news regarding <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid">Real Madrid</a> defender David Alaba. The Austrian international is expected to return to action in early 2025, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.



Alaba has been sidelined since December of last year due to a severe knee injury sustained in a match against Villarreal. After nearly 11 months, he’s resumed on-the-ball training, a crucial step in his rehabilitation.



Over the past months, he’s gradually progressed through light training sessions, grass running, and various rehabilitation phases. While further work is needed, Alaba is on track to rejoin his teammates within weeks, potentially by the start of the new year.



Alaba’s recovery hasn’t been without its challenges. The complex nature of his knee injury demanded meticulous and specialized treatment. Real Madrid’s medical team adopted a cautious, gradual approach, prioritizing a complete recovery.



<h2>A timely boost for Real Madrid</h2>



Alaba’s return is a much-needed boost for Real Madrid’s defense. With Aurelien Tchouameni sidelined due to a sprained ankle, Ancelotti’s defensive options have been limited, affecting both center-back and right-back positions. 


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While Alaba’s integration will be gradual to prevent setbacks, his experience and skill will significantly strengthen the team’s backline.



The timing couldn’t be better for Real Madrid. The upcoming months bring a dense fixture schedule, including the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia and a rescheduled match against Valencia. January alone could see Real Madrid play nine games in just 27 days.



Carlo Ancelotti will need every available player to navigate this demanding period successfully. Alaba’s return, while requiring cautious integration, offers vital defensive reinforcement, providing crucial depth and experience to Real Madrid’s squad as they face a challenging and important few months ahead.


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David Alaba nearing injury return: Why he's key for Ancelotti’s Real Madrid and when he’ll be back

David Alaba nearing injury return: Why he's key for Ancelotti’s Real Madrid and when he’ll be back - World Soccer Talk

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Real Madrid may have comfortably defeated Villarreal at the weekend, but that came at the cost of David Alaba.



Real Madrid’s 4-1 win against Villarreal on December 17 was marred by the latest injury setback for the club. This time, it was David Alaba. The Austrian became Los Blancos’ third player to suffer an ACL tear in the previous four months.



A midfield tackle caused Alaba to go down in the 35th minute of the encounter. Injuries to the 31-year-old were immediately deemed significant since he needed assistance leaving the field.



Within minutes, it became clear that Alaba had hurt his knee; at his post-match news conference, Ancelotti was aware of the injury. After the game, the Italian said: “We’re very sad to lose another player. I’ve never seen three cruciate ligament injuries in four months. It’s incredible. But there’s nothing we can do.”



<h2>What did Carlo Ancelotti say?</h2>



This Real Madrid defender just got back from surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). “Been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/medical-reports/new-alaba-medical-report-19-12-2023">the club said earlier</a>, confirming Alaba’s injury.



The duration of his absence is expected to be approximately eight months, which raises doubts about his participation for Austria in the next European Championships, which are scheduled to start in seven months.



After Alaba’s operation, Real Madrid issued a <a href="https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/medical-reports/new-alaba-medical-report-19-12-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second statement on Tuesday</a> verifying the player’s condition. “Our player David Alaba underwent successful surgery today for a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee under the supervision of the Real Madrid medical services,” the statement stated.



With the 31-year-old out for the season, Madrid are down to two healthy central defenders. There is a lot of uncertainty for Carlo Ancelotti as a result of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni playing in central defense this season.



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Because of this, Real Madrid may have no choice but to go into the transfer market. Spanish newspaper <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2023/12/18/6580ab28e2704e50998b45f6.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a> had reported that, despite Alaba’s injury, the Whites would not be signing a defender.



Per its previous decision, the club will not participate in the transfer market. Their young academy will be their first port of call instead. In contrast, tough, be that as it may, manager Ancelotti has said that January is a possible window for the team to acquire a central defender.



“We cannot say no, we (the coaching staff) have spoken with the club and we will evaluate the decision in the next few days”, he said, via <a href="https://theathletic.com/5151433/2023/12/20/real-madrid-transfer-news-alaba/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a>.



“The [January transfer window] market ends on January 31 and we will look for the best possible solution. But for the moment we are not in a hurry. We have all the time we need to look for the best possible solution.”



<h2>Club’s extensive injury woes only worsen</h2>



When it comes to soccer injury lists, Real Madrid currently have one of the longest ones. They have lost three players to ACL tears this season: David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao. While these players have dealt with long-term injuries, others have dealt with more minor ones during the season.



Arda Guler has not even made his club debut yet due to his string of injuries that began when he arrived in the summer. Although he may be known as the “Turkish Messi,” he is far from the only Real Madrid player to have persistent health problems.



For quite some time, Ferland Mendy has had difficulty maintaining any kind of regular level of physical fitness. Though he had been making waves as of late, he has recently suffered yet another injury. This is thankfully not an emergency.



The last match against Villarreal required the substitution of Mendy after halftime. <a href="https://twitter.com/GuillermoRai_/status/1737077529624645783" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guillermo Rai of The Atheltic</a> reported that the Frenchman had a minor injury, according to the MRI. A week or so will pass before he returns.



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David Alaba nearing injury return: Why he's key for Ancelotti’s Real Madrid and when he’ll be back

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