Brahim doubtful for the game against Rayo due to a possible calf injury

Brahim Diaz will know this Thursday, after medical tests first thing in the morning, the exact extent of his right calf injury that prevented him from finishing the Champions League match against RB Leipzig and makes him a serious doubt for Sunday's league game in Vallecas.

Madrid's run of injuries in a season that began with two cruciate knee ligament tears, Courtois and Militao, and which continues to leave Ancelotti with a number of important absentees, led to fears of the worst when Brahim was brought to a halt after 84 minutes at the RB Arena.

Although Brahim's first impression is that the pain was the result of a knock and muscle strain, the club are cautious ahead of the tests. The player is a doubt for the next league game and, if there is a muscle injury, he could be sidelined for several weeks.

It will be known on Thursday, after a day of rest for Brahim, who played a key role in Real Madrid's seventh consecutive Champions League win with his goal and the match that confirmed him as the best option to replace England's Jude Bellingham.

The match in Germany, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, was the 12th start for Brahim, who has made 28 appearances since his return to Real Madrid and has scored eight goals.

His development in the team has been growing after a start to the season in which he did not have minutes. It wasn't until the end of the season that he enjoyed his first start, which he celebrated by scoring against Las Palmas, and it has been since November that he has found the continuity that Carlo Ancelotti demanded.

His performance has been closely monitored by Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish national team coach, who has in mind to call Brahim in the last call-up before the squad for Euro 2024. The Spanish Federation is also awaiting the tests that the player from Malaga will undergo, who could make his senior international debut against Colombia or Brazil at the end of March.

 Brahim will have to take a few days off and will be out of action at Vallecas on Sunday, where Ancelotti will be without the long-term injured players -Courtois, Militao and David Alaba-, as well as Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy, in the latter case due to suspension.

 

February 13, 2024