Dani Carvajal suffers injury in Real Madrid victory
Real Madrid vice-captain Dani Carvajal suffered a gruesome-looking leg injury in Saturday night’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal.
The Spanish right-back had played the whole match as earlier goals from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior wrapped up the points but was left screaming in agony in second-half stoppage time after a collision with Yeremi Pino.
Carvajal had to be stretchered off the pitch and will now undergo medical tests to determine the severity of the injury. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is already without long-term absentee David Alaba as well as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz.
There was also an injury sustained by goalscorer Vinicius. The Brazil superstar was seen holding his shoulder when he was substituted shortly after extending Madrid’s lead with a brilliant effort from distance.
The two players will now be assessed, with Carvajal seemingly certain to miss Spain’s upcoming Nations League matches against Denmark and Serbia. Vinicius was also expected to play for Brazil in their crucial World Cup qualifiers with Chile and Peru.
If Carvajal has sustained a long-term injury, Ancelotti will be able to turn to squad player Lucas Vazquez. Formerly an out-and-out winger, the 33-year-old has become a reliable operator at right-back and registered two goal contributions in the 3-2 win over Alaves last month.
There are less obvious replacements for Vinicius. Arguably the favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or, few players can match the 24-year-old’s dribbling and creativity worldwide and Ancelotti will keenly hope his star man has avoided a serious shoulder problem.
Once the October international break is over, Madrid take on Celta Vigo and return to the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of last season’s final. #Dani Carvajal suffers injury in Real Madrid victory
