Madrid injuries are becoming José Mourinho’s biggest pre-season headache. After Real Madrid edged Ferencváros 1-2 in Budapest on Saturday, the head coach used his post-match comments to warn that he is working with a bare-bones group, telling reporters he has “a short squad of only 20 players” because of the club’s growing injury list.
According to Bernabéu Digital, four first-teamers are currently sidelined for Los Blancos: goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defenders Raúl Asencio and Éder Militão, and forward Rodrygo. None is expected back before the middle of September, and the same report suggests Rodrygo may not return until around December. It leaves Mourinho leaning heavily on his summer signings and a clutch of academy youngsters as the countdown to the new LaLiga season begins.
What the Madrid injuries mean for Mourinho
“Bernardo is the type of player who can play in three or four positions, and that is excellent for any coach,” Mourinho said of summer arrival Bernardo Silva. “Especially as we have a short squad of only 20 players, because of the injuries. In a short squad like that, we need players who can do what Bernardo does and play in multiple positions.”
There is at least one flicker of encouragement. As The Real Champs noted, Militão has returned to the grass this week — walking and light jogging as he steps up his recovery from the hamstring injury that required surgery earlier this year. For now, though, the short squad is Mourinho’s reality, and it may yet shape Real Madrid’s final push in the transfer market before the window shuts on 31 August.
