Real Madrid appear to have suffered another significant injury after Eder Miliato went down in agony during Saturday’s game against Osasuna.
Already without veteran full-back Dani Carvajal for a lengthy period after he suffered a serious knee injury against Villarreal last month.
Carlo Ancelotti, under-pressure after a series of poor results both in La Liga and Europe, can ill-afford to be without another senior player and will be waiting anxiously for news on the Brazil international.
The 26-year-old went down in agony on the half hour mark having appeared to jar his right knee.
After receiving treatment for several minutes, Militao left the field on a stretcher having been screaming out in agony.
The former Porto player missed six months of the previous campaign after he suffered a knee injury during the opening game of that season.
Miliato returned to action in March and has been a near constant present figure in Real’s defence and another lengthy absence will represent a huge blow to his team.
Earlier in the match, Militao’s compatriot Rodrygo, making his league return after nearly three weeks out, limped out of the contest, clutching his thigh which had been bandaged.
Real did, at least, appear to be headed for a much needed routine victory after first half goals from Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham set them on their way.
After his Ballon d’Or snub, Vinicius feels like he has a point to prove and opened the scoring with a typically blistering effort in the 34th minute.
Receiving the ball from Raul Asencio, the winger cut in on his right foot and blasted the ball in at the near post, leaving Sergio Herrera with no chance.
The home side doubled the lead six minutes later with Asencio again the provider, this time with a longer pass that set Jude Bellingham free and the England star calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to end a 12-game drought.