The injuries at Real Madrid have gone amiss with the club suffering a twofold blow before the last quarter of the season. Arda Gue is out with hamstring issues along with Éder Militiao.
The news was verified by the Spanish giants midweek and it was another strain to an already stretched squad. It is likely that both players will miss the rest of the club season and this might affect the balance in the team during important matches.
This is a big setback strategically. Militiao is crucial in defense due to his physical presence and rate of recovery. This absence compels Real Madrid to re-strategize their defense. Conversely, the creativity and the attacking movement of Guler have also proved useful in rotation; particularly in tight matches.
Both players are reported to have a four-week recovery period. This provides some relief in international responsibilities. The two players are yet to resume fitness with the coming global tournament just under 50 days away.
The timing is however questionable. Hastening players back after hamstring injuries may be risky. To prevent additional setbacks, clubs and national teams will have to handle their workload cautiously.
In the larger scheme of things, this scenario raises a larger concern. Any injury during this season may interfere with the momentum and cause managers to make tough choices. Deeper than ever, squad depth will be put to the test.
In the case of Real Madrid, it is obvious. They have to be flexible and able to sustain performance levels even without some of their key players. Their reaction in the next few weeks might determine the performance of their season.
