Real Madrid star center back Eder Militao returned from a torn hamstring injury that cost him about four months of action, and he actually scored a wonderful goal with his head from a Trent Alexander-Arnold to help Real equalize against underdogs Mallorca on the road. That tie did not last, as Real Madrid fell to Vedat Muriqi and Mallorca 2-1 at the Iberostar Stadium, but Militao definitely looked right at home.
Militao is easily Real's best center back, but he has suffered a significant injury in three straight seasons now. A starter for two Champions League winning teams, Militao is a sure fire starter over either Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen, and given the form of the two players, Huijsen would likely be the one sacrificed in the XI whenever Militao is 100 percent fit.
Coming into Tuesday's big game against Bayern Munich in the first leg of this European Clasico in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Real Madrid were actually expected to leave Eder Militao on the bench for some extra rest.
Eder Militao could start vs. Bayern Munich after all
Although Militao is arguably Real's most important player with Thibaut Courtois out injured, he has suffered three straight big injuries and risking aggravation of that hamstring could be a massive blow to the club's hopes. A devil's advocate might say, though, that the season is on the line against Bayern anyway, because after Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid and Real lost to Mallorca, La Liga is basically already lost.
According to a report from MARCA's Santiago Siguero, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa brought in Militao earlier than expected into the Mallorca match, and the center back played so well in his first game back from injury that he may now be ready to start against Bayern Munich, contrary to what was initially thought.
The decision, of course, rests with Arbeloa, but he has a big call to make now. Does he risk potentially making Militao's injury worse and bringing the center back too soon? Is it worth it to have Militao in the lineup over Dean Huijsen? If he knows Harry Kane is 100 percent playing, since the Ballon d'Or favorite missed the Freiburg game over the weekend with injury, would that change the Militao equation for Arbeloa?
There are some tough questions to answer, but two things are for certain. One, Real Madrid are a better team with a healthy Militao. Two, Real need a healthy Militao for both this game and the rest of the Champions League.