With each passing day, Real Madrid's injury record continues to cause endless problems for the team. And this, tragically and weirdly, invariably ends up ruining the constant symphony that a group of players establish over time.
As a result, questionable changes must be made in order to consistently salvage critical games and avoid stinging Real Madrid for things that are completely out of their control.
One of Los Blancos' key players has been placed in question ahead of their La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.
Real Madrid defender is doubtful for Rayo Vallecano clash
This season, Real Madrid's defense lineup has had several ups and downs. To be honest, it has mostly been downs. Eder Militao is gone for an extended period of time, David Alaba has been out of form for some time, and Lucas Vazquez is now at the bottom of his game.
With the available roster already reduced down, a new issue appears to have arisen. According to Marca, key Madrid center-back Antonio Rudiger may miss the Vallecano match owing to a flu-like sickness.
The German did not join the squad's pre-game training session and instead worked inside the facilities with other team players who were recovering. The athlete was already not at his best in recent games due to persistent knee problems, which he is constantly reminded of.
In light of that, Rudiger may be benefiting from this sickness after all. He has played too much for both club and country and could benefit some much-needed break. The Merengues are already struggling in La Liga, so a little extra discomfort will not be too bad.
As we mentioned in our predicted XI, this game might be an excellent opportunity for David Alaba to step up and provide a strong performance, which could boost his confidence. Moving ahead, every game will be critical to Real Madrid's chances of remaining in the tournaments. The squad will have to evaluate every move and take caution with each step.