Real Madrid’s Leupolz out for season after ligament injury vs. Arsenal | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s Melanie Leupolz will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee during her side’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

The injury, confirmed by Madrid’s medical team on Wednesday, is a cruel blow for the German international, who had only just returned from an identical injury to the same knee suffered in January’s Supercopa de España clash against Real Sociedad.

Despite extensive rehabilitation, she lasted less than 90 minutes across two matches before breaking down again in Madrid’s muddy battlefield against Arsenal.

Leupolz sustained the injury in an unfortunate fashion, misplacing her footing on the poor surface at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, which has drawn heavy criticism in the aftermath of the match.

The midfielder went down clutching her knee after attempting to intercept a pass, with her studs seemingly caught in the sodden turf. Her immediate reaction signalled the severity of the issue, and she was withdrawn in visible discomfort.

The playing conditions were so atrocious that Arsenal legend Ian Wright took to Instagram at halftime to brand the pitch a “f—— disgrace”, comparing it to Derby County’s infamous surface in last month’s League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

The conditions directly contributed to Real Madrid’s opening goal, with Leah Williamson unable to control a bouncing ball before Linda Caicedo pounced to score.

Leupolz’s injury will only fuel further debate about player safety on substandard pitches at the highest level of European competition.

Madrid has confirmed that Leupolz will not require surgery, as was the case with her previous ligament tear. However, her expected recovery time of two months effectively rules her out for the remainder of the season, including the Champions League return leg at the Emirates and the club’s push for a top-three finish in Liga F.