Real Madrid got their 26/27 campaign off to a winning start with a narrow 2-1 win against Espanyol, in a game that wasn't as convincing as many first thought it would be. Outside of strong performances from Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler the midfield still looked shaky and the attack failed to make any real difference in the match.
However one area that did seem much improved compared to recent years was the center-backs. Dean Huijsen looked like the €60 million player Real Madrid paid for, and he was accompanied by an incredible debut performance from new summer signing Ibrahima Konate. Real may have struck gold an a free transfer center-back yet again and there is only one thing that need to solidify their backline, a fully fit Eder Militao next to Konate.
Real Madrid hoping Konate-Militao is their next Ramos-Varane
The Brazilian has been out injured since March after suffering a torn hamstring and has been working tirelessly in his recovery to get back on the pitch and for Real Madrid that could be the final piece to Mourinho's puzzle this season. When fully fit Militao has comfortably been the best central defender in the world the last few seasons but the constant injury problems always bring things to a halt at Real Madrid, with his injuries tending to always be long-term injuries.
Torn ACLs in back-to-back season in 23/24 and 24/25 and now a torn hamstring in the 25/26 season have been a nightmare for Real Madrid once added on top of all the other defensive injuries. However with the Brazilian nearing a return and Dean Huijsen back to fitness, Los Blancos are hoping the injury bug is finally past them and they can finally build their long-term center-back partnership.
Ever since the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Real Madrid have been looking for their next long-term center-back duo and have found success with a mix of options. Real won Champions League titles with partnerships of Alaba-Militao and Nacho-Rudiger and they are hoping that a Konate-Militao partnership will bring them back to the top of the European mountain.
Konate looked like a completely different than the one we saw at Liverpool last season looking back to his best and adding a fully fit Miltao back into the mix could finally give Real Madrid the defensive stability they have been lacking for the last few seasons. The Brazilian is expected back sometime in September, which will feel like an eternity to wait to see him back on the pitch again.
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