As Real Madrid prepares to travel to the Mestalla Stadium for a pivotal La Liga clash, the atmosphere in the capital is tinged with anxiety rather than the usual anticipation. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa finds himself in a precarious position, tasked with maintaining pressure on leaders Barcelona while navigating a truly daunting injury list. The trip to face Valencia was always going to be tricky, but with the treatment room overflowing, it has become a potential minefield.
Sitting second in the table and four points adrift of the Catalans, Real Madrid cannot afford a slip-up. However, the squad available to Arbeloa is barely recognizable from the star-studded lineups fans have grown accustomed to. The crisis is not limited to one area of the pitch; it is a systemic issue affecting the defense, midfield, and attack simultaneously.
The Attacking Void
The most glaring absences are in the final third. The electric Vinícius Júnior is suspended, having picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign during the recent win over Rayo Vallecano. His pace and creativity are irreplaceable, and the one-match ban forces Arbeloa to completely reshape his offensive strategy.
Compounding the issue is the absence of Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder has been the heartbeat of the team since his arrival, but a hamstring injury sustained against Rayo has ruled him out for approximately a month. His ability to arrive late in the box and drive the team forward leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. To make matters worse, Rodrygo is also sidelined. The Brazilian forward is dealing with hamstring tendinosis in his right leg, an issue that will keep him out for around ten days. With Vinícius suspended and Bellingham injured, the depth of the squad is being tested to its absolute limit. The responsibility now falls heavily on Kylian Mbappé to deliver, along with supporting acts from Brahim Díaz and Arda Güler.
Defensive Headaches
The problems extend to the backline as well. The experienced Éder Militão remains out with a serious hamstring issue, and there are fears he could be sidelined for the remainder of the season. His leadership and pace at the heart of defense are sorely missed. Meanwhile, left-back options are dwindling; Ferland Mendy is out with an unspecified injury, potentially forcing Eduardo Camavinga to fill in out of position.
There is a glimmer of hope regarding center-back Antonio Rüdiger. The German defender has returned to training after a knee injury, though he remains a major doubt for the Valencia tie. If he cannot pass a late fitness test, Arbeloa’s options at the back look incredibly thin. Raúl Asencio is also listed as a doubt due to a calf issue, though reports suggest he might be available.
The Silver Lining
It is not all doom and gloom for the visitors. The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold is a significant boost. The right-back has missed two months of action but is expected to slot straight back into the lineup. His delivery and experience will be crucial, especially with so many creative sparks missing from the midfield and attack.
Arbeloa has defended his decision to give the squad extra rest days this week, emphasizing the need for recovery amid a grueling schedule. The strategy appears to be focused on freshness rather than complexity, hoping that the remaining stars can step up to the plate.
Despite the overwhelming adversity, Real Madrid possesses the quality to grind out results. However, Valencia will smell blood. The home side, fighting for their own survival, will look to exploit the visitors’ disruption. It sets the stage for a tactical battle where Madrid’s depth—or lack thereof—will be the defining narrative.