Kylian Mbappe became the latest addition to Real Madrid’s growing list of injured players this season when he was taken off during the game against Atalanta on Tuesday.
Following tests earlier today, the diagnosis of a left thigh injury was confirmed with a recovery timeline of ten days.
The situation though has become concerning at the club and no one seems able to halt the flood of injuries, and top officials are now scrutinising the situation closely.
Florentino Perez unhappy
Indeed, according to Jorge C Picon, the person least happy with this situation is Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
The club supremo acknowledges that the calendar is not helping. However, what has happened this season cannot be compared to previous years, despite a similar number of matches.
With such a demanding run of fixtures, solutions need to be found – but so far, they have not materialised.
As a result, Perez has begun to demand accountability and seek remedies for the injury crisis at Real Madrid.
It started with the hiring of nutritionist Itziar González de Arriba – the professional who significantly improved Dani Carvajal’s physical reliability. However, this change has not yet convinced the players, who remain sceptical about what is happening at Valdebebas.
Doubts about Pintus, Ancelotti’s handling
Injuries have tormented Real Madrid this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
As previously reported, there is a growing mistrust of the methods used by fitness coach Antonio Pintus, who is said to be visibly anxious, aware that his previously praised work is now being questioned.
But the players are not only pointing the finger at the fitness coach; they also feel that the medical staff and physiotherapists have not found the right solution either.
The medical and physiotherapy departments are, without a doubt, the most concerned. Not only because they bear some responsibility for the injuries, but also because they see the players losing faith in their methods.
Meanwhile, manager Carlo Ancelotti has not escaped criticism either. He has been accused of lacking patience, pushing players hard or recalling on them too soon from injury, disregarding the established protocols.
In recent weeks, cases such as those of Rodrygo Goes against Getafe or Vinicius Jr. against Leganes and Atalanta have led some to hold him responsible.
However, the Italian coach always takes into account the player’s own feelings and listens to the medical team’s advice before making decisions.
Either way, the professionals at Real Madrid who are involved in managing this crisis are trying to salvage the situation, while the board begins to apply pressure. The message is clear: either the injuries stop, or there will be consequences.