Real Madrid concerned about Huijsen's injury

The club feels they'll make it to the Clásico, but they're hesitant to put their hand on the line. Returns from calf injuries are tricky. And the timing is starting to get tight.

There's a certain amount of turmoil surrounding Huijsen. A kind of tense calm in Valdebebas, a feeling of unease. He's aiming for the Clásico, but it's not a sure thing. Not at this point. Despite there still being eleven days left, his situation is more cautious than jubilant. And that says a lot. The club is expressing their belief that he'll make it, but no one is putting their hand in the fire. Above all, because in a game like this, it's not enough just to be there; you have to be fit. At 200%. His injury points to the two weeks that were stipulated. And that means that if it gets even longer... it'll become a photo-finish. He's aiming to make it; but there's a certain turmoil. A certain unease.

Huijsen was injured against Villarreal, on October 4. He played the full 90 minutes... and had only rested one minute, by technical decision, all season. What was an overload, resulted in a micro-tear in his left soleus. Something minor, but it will require a pit stop. The club's estimate was 12-15 days. He left the Spain training camp and began his recovery; those two weeks. By then, there were 18 days left until the Clásico. The feeling was good.

From Málaga... to the physio

But the gesture... is slightly twisting. Huijsen continues to work alone. He's taken advantage of his days off to escape to Málaga, to his Málaga; and see Málaga, his Málaga. He was at the match against Dépor, wearing the team shirt and visiting the locker room. From there, he's off to Valdebebas, where he continues working in the gym and undergoing physiotherapy. He still has time.

Farewell to Getafe

He's definitely out for Getafe. That's 100%. It's the only thing the club is confident about. He won't make it. But from there... the range of doubts opens up. He has a good chance of making it to the Clásico and a chance to play against Juventus. But at the same time, he could miss both. Why? Because returns from soleus injuries are especially delicate. The risk of relapse is higher than in other areas. And reducing this risk to zero by October 26 is a challenge.

Plan B: Asencio

It's believed he'll be back, but it's not a given. If he misses, the coaching staff is clear: Asencio. As of today, he's ahead of Alaba. Xabi Alonso would have to choose between them to partner Militão. The possibility of using Carreras at center-back and lining up Mendy at full-back is looming (he'll be available by then; at 200%), but it's more unlikely. The most likely scenario, in fact, is that the pairing will be Militão-Huijsen. And that's it.

But his injury is taking a very tight turn. Like Carvajal's and Trent's. The captain has a good chance of being recovered (he was injured at the Metropolitano and would have to wait four weeks to recover), while Trent will try his best, but he knows that in no case would he be a starter. Given this situation, the coaching staff is also clear: if neither of them makes it, Valverde would be a full-back. It's the infirmary's snapshot. Huijsen is still out. He's tipped to make it, but no one is putting their hand in the fire. There's some concern in Valdebebas.