Defeated in La Liga, Real Madrid receives more bad news

Following the surprising 1-2 defeat to Osasuna which endangered their top spot in La Liga, Real Madrid faces more distressing news with the injury roster extending to their most promising young players.

The 1-2 loss against Osasuna in the 25th round of La Liga was not only a points setback, allowing Barcelona to close the gap to just 2 points, but also exposed the fragility of Real Madrid’s defensive system. With the main squad exhausted, hopes of promoting young talents to fill the gaps have been crushed by a wave of consecutive injuries.

The latest bad news concerns Victor Valdepenas. According to expert Guillermo Rai from The Athletic, this talented young defender has become the newest addition to the injured list. Although initial tests indicate the injury is not severe, Valdepenas will definitely miss upcoming matches for both Castilla and the first team.

Valdepenas’ absence is a major setback for the coaching staff. Earlier, Real Madrid lost Dean Huijsen to a short-term injury and, notably, Joan Martinez. Martinez, who had just recovered from an ACL injury, has suffered a new injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

The severe shortage of players forced coach Carlo Ancelotti to make a risky choice in the recent match against Osasuna. With no young center-backs available for rotation, veteran David Alaba was compelled to play continuously.

The lack of quality backup options from the youth ranks is the key reason why Real Madrid’s defense could no longer remain solid, directly leading to costly mistakes in the dramatic defeat.

Beyond tactical concerns, Real Madrid also confronts the risk of losing these “raw gems.” Injuries and limited first-team opportunities are causing doubts among the young talents.

Victor Valdepenas is currently being targeted by top clubs such as Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. Reports indicate these clubs are closely monitoring the Spanish defender’s health and negotiation process. If Real Madrid cannot offer a clear development plan once he recovers, the chances of losing him to other giants next summer are very high.

As the season enters its most intense phase, if Real Madrid fails to resolve personnel issues and retain its young talents soon, they risk not only losing the La Liga crown but also jeopardizing the club’s future.