Real Madrid's season went from bad to worse last night when they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Getafe. There is now a four point gap between Alvaro Arbeloa's side and leaders Barcelona with 12 games remaining of the La Liga campaign.
Martin Satriano's stunning first-half strike secured victory for the visitors and compounded Los Blancos' woes. Reports claim that Arbeloa's players have basically admitted defeat to Barca in the title race and are pinning their hopes on winning the Champions League.
David Alaba injured in Madrid loss
To make matters worse David Alaba was forced off in the 55th minute with a calf problem. The Austrian defender has only just returned from the same injury and it seems to be a recurring issue.
Fabrizio Romano claims that he will be assessed by the club's medical staff and that tests took place this morning. It would be a massive blow to lose Alaba ahead of important games that will make or break Madrid's season.
Alaba has appeared just 13 times across competitions this season and his absence has coincided with an injury crisis plaguing the team's defense. Raul Asencio is currently sidelined with a head injury suffered in a 2-1 loss to Osasuna last weekend.
Madrid's loss has put Arbeloa under pressure and there is talk of the caretaker manager not even finishing the season. His side are through to the last 16 of the Champions League but face Manchester City.
Alaba is leaving
Madrid and Alaba will be hoping his calf problem isn't serious and that he's able to bid farewell to the Bernabeu on a positive note. The 33-year-old is set to leave the club when his contract expires in June, ending a five-year spell in the Spanish capital.
Alaba arrived at the club as a free agent in the summer of 2021 after leaving Bayern Munich. He has been a crucial part of one of Los Blancos' most successful eras, winning the Champions League twice, the La Liga title twice and the Copa del Rey.
Madrid are preparing for his exit by looking at possible replacements including Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck. The German fits the bill given he's left-footed and similarly has played at the highest level.
A €50m fee is reportedly the asking price for the Dortmund man who can also play at left-back. It might not only be Alaba who needs replacing as Antonio Rudiger's contract is also up when the season ends.