(Football news) Real Madrid’s start to 2023 has been very underwhelming. Injuries, fatigue and loss in form have put them 8 points behind league leaders Barcelona. Los Blancos also lost the Spanish Super Cup final to their arch rivals. They are now in Morocco for the FIFA Club World Cup. Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez were always going to be out of contention for him.

Now Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Karim Benzema have been ruled out but the pair could join the squad for the final if Real Madrid qualify. Real Madrid are severely understaffed which is a bit of a worry for Carlo Ancelotti. Even more so as the likes of Dani Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouaméni and David Alaba have just returned from their injuries.

All 3 are big misses but Karim Benzema is definitely the biggest. At the start of the season Benzema was a long term absentee but Real Madrid still managed to win games consistently. What’s changed from then is that the others are not in the form they were. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr have all dipped massively after the World Cup. Anriy Lunin has shown that even though he may not be as good as Courtois he can definitely hold the fort. In Militao’s absence Antonio Rudiger is likely to play while David Alaba and Nacho will play left back and Centre back but they are likely to interchange their possession in between the games.

Against all the warning signs, Real Madrid decided not to make any January signings. Reports have emerged that Joao Cancelo was offered to Real Madrid but the club decided against it. Cancelo signing would have solved all the defensive problems as he can play at right back and left back. Winning the La Liga title from this situation is almost impossible for Real Madrid. The Copa Del Rey and the Champions League will also be difficult but it still looks like a more realistic possibility as things are in their own hands. The Club World Cup would be a different sort of test for Real Madrid but not an easy one for sure.

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