Spanish defender Dani Carvajal’s season took a devastating turn on Saturday when he suffered a severe knee injury during Real Madrid’s 2-0 triumph over Villarreal in LaLiga. The incident occurred in stoppage time as Carvajal collided with Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino while attempting to clear the ball upfield. He was subsequently stretchered off the pitch, visibly distraught.
Following the match, Carvajal took to social media to confirm the extent of his injury, revealing that he would require surgery and face an extended period on the sidelines. His teammates and manager Carlo Ancelotti were left reeling from the news, with Ancelotti describing the dressing room as “sad” and “worried” for their injured colleague.
The Italian coach praised Carvajal’s importance to the team, citing his experience, professionalism, and seriousness as key attributes. Ancelotti acknowledged that the injury was a significant blow, but emphasized the need to focus on Carvajal’s recovery rather than dwelling on the setback.
The victory, which saw Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior score impressive goals, was overshadowed by Carvajal’s injury. Valverde expressed his sympathy for his teammate, stating that Carvajal’s health was of greater concern than the outcome of the match.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti also addressed concerns over Vinícius Júnior’s fitness, who was withdrawn in the 79th minute with a shoulder complaint. The coach revealed that the Brazilian forward was experiencing stiffness and pain, and would undergo further tests in the coming hours.
When questioned about the possibility of signing a new right-back to cover Carvajal’s absence, Ancelotti dismissed the idea, expressing faith in Lucas Vázquez as a capable replacement. With the transfer market currently closed, Ancelotti indicated that the team would reassess their options during the upcoming break.
Real Madrid’s win propelled them level with leaders Barcelona on 21 points, setting the stage for an intense title race in LaLiga.
Leave a Reply