Alvaro Arbeloa is attempting to keep Real Madrid's season on track in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Earlier in January, Xabi Alonso left as head coach in the wake of a loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final in Jeddah, with Alvaro Arbeloa brought in to replace him. What followed was a humiliating Copa del Rey defeat to second-tier Albacete and a narrow win over Levante in front of a fractious home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu.
While results outside of domestic league play have been touch-and-go, Real Madrid are in the midst of a feverish run of form, right on Barcelona's heels for the top spot.
Los Blancos hope that this weekend will bring the moment they've been waiting for, sitting a point back of Barcelona who were battered by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey midweek. To do their part, Los Blancos welcome Real Sociedad to town on Saturday, knowing a win would take them top of the league, at least temporarily with Barcelona to play on Monday.
The Sporting News brings you their current injury list, as well as a look at their latest team news and a preview of how they could line up in their next match.
MORE: Why Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid gave up after just seven months together
Real Madrid injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Rodrygo
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February 22 (vs. Osasuna)
After suffering a hamstring injury in mid-January, Rodrygo made a short return against Rayo Vallecano, seeing 13 minutes off the bench, but has gone back on the shelf since then. It's not expected to be a long-term issue, but it's also not a great sign when a player attempts to return from injury and then ends up out once more.
Jude Bellingham
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: April
The England star suffered a hamstring injury against Rayo Vallecano in early February, and initially was expected to miss around four weeks. However, further reports a few days later indicated that he would be absent a bit longer than initially thought, and that he may not be available until April, leaving him out through the March international break.
Antonio Rudiger
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: February 1 (vs. Rayo Vallecano)
Rudiger was substituted during the Supercopa semifinal win over Atletico due to pain in his knee. He was on the bench for the final, but he has missed three games since then and is not in the squad to face Villarreal. Another week is likely needed.
Eder Militao
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
Militao, who has been fantastic since returning from his lengthy absences for multiple ACL tears, has gone down with a hamstring injury and will miss significant time.
After exiting in the 24th minute of their defeat to Celta Vigo, the club confirmed a tear to the "biceps femoris tendon" in his left hamstring, and he will miss up to four months. It is a devastating blow to the already thin Real Madrid back line.
Ferland Mendy
Injury: Muscular
Expected return date: TBC
Mendy has been blighted by injuries all season, and since featuring for 21 minutes in the Supercopa against Atletico Madrid, the full-back has been sidelined once more. It is unclear when he will be available again, having returned to log one minute off the bench on January 4 but since having gone back on the shelf.
Franco Mastantuono
Injury: Pubalgia
Expected return date: —
In late 2025, teenage midfielder Mastantuono was struck down by the same ailment that has hindered Barcelona star Lamine Yamal. Similar to what is known as a "sports hernia," the injury is one that has to be managed.
While Mastantuono is back to game fitness for Real Madrid, it is still notable to include him on the injury list as it could flare up at any time, and his minutes will likely need to be watched much more carefully than they had been at the start of the season after newly joining the team.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Real Sociedad
Formation: 4-3-3
Courtois (GK)
Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras
Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler
Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius
Real Madrid fixture schedule: Next five games
Following their home league meeting with Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid have a rare week to rest before the Blancos travel to Valencia. A rematch with Benfica is on the horizon in Champions League action.
Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad | La Liga | Saturday, February 14
Benfica vs. Real Madrid | Champions League knockout playoff first leg | Tuesday, Feburary 11
Osasuna vs. Real Madrid | La Liga | Sunday, February 22
Real Madrid vs. Benfica | Champions League knockout playoff second leg | Wed, February 25
Real Madrid vs. Getafe | La Liga | Monday, March 2