Real Madrid: How Nacho’s injury significantly hurts defensive depth
Real Madrid defensive utility man Nacho Fernandez went down with a knee injury during the team’s 2-2 draw against Club Brugge and was substituted at half-time for Marcelo. It turns out his knee injury will cost him a considerable amount of time.
Nacho Fernandez has been a part of Real Madrid’s system since 2001 as a youth player, eventually becoming a key backup center back for the club. This season, Nacho has featured at left back, even performing well in shutouts last week against Osasuna and Atletico Madrid.
With Ferland Mendy still injured and Marcelo only just rounding into health after a neck ailment a couple of weeks ago, Nacho got the start against Club Brugge on Tuesday. His time on the pitch lasted only 45 minutes, as he was subbed at halftime.
Nacho was not at fault for either of Brugge’s goals, so fans were wondering why he was substituted. The change did help, as the attack received an injection of creativity from the brilliant Marcelo, who is highly-regarded for his ability to support the attack from the left side.
Word emerged that Nacho suffered a potential injury in the first half, and now MARCA’s Felipe Olcina reports that the defender will miss two-and-a-half months with a knee injury.
Real Madrid officially stated that Nacho has an internal collateral ligament injury in his right knee.
While Nacho isn’t a starter for Real, this is a tough injury for a team that has suffered many injuries this season. Marcelo and Mendy recently missed time at right back, forcing Nacho into the lineup at a position that isn’t necessarily ideal for him, since he isn’t known for his attacking prowess. (Though he did provide what would have been the deciding assist for Karim Benzema, if it weren’t for Jan Oblak’s greatness in goal.)
Next. Areola has earned the opportunity to start. dark
Nacho is the fourth-choice center back behind Eder Militao, as Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are locked in as starters. If something were to happen to a starter and a suspension occurred, then Nacho’s dependable cover no longer exists. If more injuries at left back occur, too, then Real could be forced to turn to a creative option to fill the void without Nacho as a serviceable left back.
Although Nacho isn’t a star player in the squad and could have joined Sevilla this summer, he still holds a useful role as a backup player on a team that has been vulnerable to injuries this season. Nacho’s 10-week injury is just the latest blow, and hopefully no other players get hurt in October, especially with a pivotal Clasico looming for the first-place Whites at the end of the month.