Any time a player suffers an anterior cruciate ligament injury, it’s an awful thing. When it’s a season ender, that makes it even worse. With Real Madrid, who already had an injury crisis to begin with, and David Alaba the latest injury casualty, it’s a situation that is nearly unprecedented.
Alaba’s teammate Lucas Vázquez said the defender was extremely upset after suffering the ACL tear.
Real Madrid at Alaves FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Dec. 21, 2023, 8:30 pm, Mendizorroza, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Real Madrid Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
La Liga Standings: Real Madrid 2nd, 42 pts Real Betis 13th, 19 pts
La Liga Form: Real Madrid WDWWW Real Betis LLDWL
Google Result Probability: Real Madrid Win 62% Draw 22% Real Betis Win 16%
“It’s a difficult, long injury,” Vázquez said. “We’re having some bad luck. [Alaba] is a top professional, we’re all sad.”
So what does Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti do now? How does he reshuffle his back line? Are we going to see a midfielder or two play as a defender? Here is what we’re predicting the Italian will do against Alaves on Thursday.
Real Madrid Starting 11 Prediction at Alaves
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, Fran Garcia; Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz; Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Joselu
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.