Concern for Real Madrid as key defender’s return could be delayed beyond November | OneFootball

Recent reports from AS reveal that Real Madrid and David Alaba have decided not to set specific dates or expectations for his return to the pitch.

Despite November approaching, which was roughly the time he was expected to return, his injury remains a significant concern. Alaba’s injury was particularly severe, raising doubts about his return and how effective he will be when he does come back.

Interestingly, there is not much to talk about Alaba’s situation. Even those closest to the player have limited information. This lack of detail is intentional as he is focusing on living in the moment, working daily without pressure or deadlines.

His approach is to take steady, measured steps. The goal is a full recovery, even if it takes longer than initially anticipated. This is crucial because his injury was more serious than many realise.

What happened to Alaba?

Alaba suffered a torn cruciate ligament, with additional damage to his meniscus and some tendons. The extent of the damage has led to uncertainties about his recovery.

After injuring his left knee against Villarreal on December 17, 2023, it was confirmed that his injury was extensive. Unlike other cases where recovery was relatively straightforward, Alaba’s situation involved more complex damage.

Real Madrid want patience with David Alaba’s return. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He chose to have surgery which was successful, but the road to recovery has been arduous. Alaba has been travelling to Innsbruck regularly for follow-up visits to ensure proper rehabilitation.

However, around May, there were concerns when it was noted that his recovery wasn’t progressing as expected. He experienced difficulties with full knee movement and climbing stairs, leading to a second, smaller procedure. This added further delay to his return.

Delay due to late recovery

Typically, after a cruciate ligament injury, players might start jogging within 100-120 days, with some returning a bit earlier. Alaba only began jogging 255 days after his injury, on August 28th.

At that time Carlo Ancelotti emphasised the need for patience, highlighting that while progress was being made, a cautious approach was essential.

There is a consensus that placing pressure on Alaba is unhelpful. No specific return dates are being discussed; instead, the focus is on a complete and thorough recovery.

There is hope but nothing certain

The club expects Alaba to return around November, but they stress that this timeline is not set in stone. If it’s determined that more time is needed, they are prepared to wait.

Two main questions arise: First, can a player recover fully from such a severe injury and return to their best form? While optimism is the prevailing attitude, there is concern within the club about how Alaba will perform upon his return.

Second, when can Ancelotti expect to have him available? While November is the target, Alaba will have been out of action for over 270 days by then.