Reinforcements do not arrive

Real Madrid continues with the infirmary overflowing and the shifts in the gym practically complete. Three days after receiving Real Sociedad at Di Stéfano (Monday, March 1, 9:00 p.m.) Zidane has not been able to incorporate any of the nine injured players into the group's work dynamics. This Friday, Odriozola, Militao, Marcelo, Valverde, Hazard, Rodrygo and Benzema combined exercises on the pitch with work inside the facilities. There, in the gym, Ramos and Carvajal also fully developed their work plan.

Zidane has spent more than two months, depending on the case, without being able to count on these players. The longest case is Rodrygo, who has been absent for two months. He was injured on 23 December in the game against Granada at the Di Stéfano due to an injury to the biceps femoris that affected the tendon. The Brazilian, for now, meets the estimated recovery period of two and a half or three months.

The terms have been extended in the case of Valverde. The Uruguayan was detected an injury to the adductor of his right leg after the match against Alcoyano. An ailment that should have kept him off the pitch for 15 to 20 days, but which is now entering his fifth week out. The Uruguayan has spent the entire month of February combining work in the gym with exercises on the grass, but he has not finished his recovery.

February, month 'horribilis'

In February the problems have worsened on the infirmary of Real Madrid. On Saturday the 6th Ramos had to undergo knee surgery. It was a quick decision, but not a sudden discharge. The center-back had not played since the Super Cup match against Athletic on January 14, an encounter that played with pain. The operating room was the lesser evil to ensure the presence of the captain in the final stretch of the season. Sergio works to help the team in the Champions League return against Atalanta, on March 16.

Three days before Ramos's operation, on Wednesday 3 Hazard fell again in what is his ninth injury since he arrived at Madrid. After a week in the gym, the Belgian has been partially on the grass for fifteen days. The first installments pointed to his return in the derby, a match that is now nine days away.

On the same day as Ramos's operation, the party in Huesca left new consequences. The expedition traveled with only 17 players (including the castillistas Marvin and Chust) and returned with the loss of Odriozola, who since then has suffered hamstring problems. Upon his return, Zidane also found Militao's loss, who could not play for El Alcoraz due to his expulsion in the previous match against Levante. The Brazilian suffers discomfort in the adductor. The two defenders have been absent for 20 days.

Marcelo, Carvajal and Benzema, different horizons

The next engagement, day 9 against Getafe, Marcelo's loss was claimed, victim of an injury to the left soleus. With an estimated three weeks off, the full-back must return for the derby.

Carvajal's last comeback lasted less than half an hour. The youth squad, with whom injuries are raging this season (he's been four), could only play 27 minutes before being injured on the 14th against Valencia. It was his first since January 2, when he was injured against Celta. With a month and a half of loss ahead, Carvajal's horizon is the Classic of April 10 or 11.

The last to add to the casualty list is Benzema. The Frenchman suffers a small injury to the adductor and prudence prevails in his recovery. Zidane decided not to force him for Bergamo and the specific plan with which he worked this Friday indicates that he will not be against Real Sociedad either. The coach will have to start the month of March still with 13 players from the first team and lending a hand from Castilla. The reinforcements are made to wait.