Real Madrid have confirmed that midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss the next three weeks after suffering a muscle injury in his left thigh in the Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
The club released an official medical statement shortly after 12:50 p.m. local time on Thursday, which read: “Following tests carried out today on our player Aurélien Tchouaméni by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus muscle in his left thigh. His recovery will be monitored."
Tchouaméni will miss Sunday’s LaLiga match against Rayo Vallecano and will not be called up by the French national team during the upcoming international break. The club expects him to return afterward, though the exact timing remains uncertain.
Key absence for Xabi Alonso’s midfield
The Frenchman will sit out the trip to Vallecas this weekend and likely the visit to Elche’s Martínez Valero Stadium when play resumes. Real Madrid’s goal is to have him back for the Champions League game against Olympiacos in Athens on November 26.
It’s a serious setback for head coach Xabi Alonso, as Tchouaméni has become the anchor of Madrid’s midfield and a cornerstone of their revamped defensive structure. His absence comes just as Alonso had begun to manage his minutes more carefully; the French international played only the first half in last weekend’s 4–0 win over Valencia.
Valverde avoids injury scare
Meanwhile, Fede Valverde underwent medical tests Thursday morning after feeling discomfort at the end of the match against Liverpool. Fortunately for Real Madrid, no injury was detected.
The club had been concerned after the Uruguayan, nicknamed “El Halcón” (The Falcon), felt a sharp pain, but it turned out to be a minor issue. Valverde is expected to be available for the Rayo Vallecano match, though Alonso may choose to rest him as a precaution.
Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Franco Mastantuono and David Alaba continue their respective recovery processes.