The stats behind the injury crisis and why players are doubting Pintus’ approach

Recently, there have been growing concerns about the methods of Real Madrid’s physical trainer, Antonio Pintus, following a series of injuries that have plagued the team this season.

This is quite a change from the praise Pintus received last year when, despite a number of injuries, Real Madrid still managed to win the La Liga title, the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.

The shift in perspective has caught the attention of many, especially since this season has seen a significantly higher number of injuries than in previous years.

Numbers to back

As of now, the first team has seen 25 different injuries that are directly linked to the team’s physical training. This number does not include the illness suffered by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

For context, by this point in the 2023-24 season, Real Madrid had 15 injuries, a notable dip from this season.

Two years ago, when the team was facing the added challenge of a packed schedule due to the World Cup, they recorded 19 injuries. Even then, none of those injuries kept players out for more than a month.

In the 2021-22 season, when Pintus rejoined the team under coach Carlo Ancelotti, there were 15 injuries, with only four of them resulting in absences longer than four weeks.

However, the rise in injuries this season has led many to question the effectiveness of Pintus’ methods, with the number of injuries at a much higher rate than in previous seasons.

Defence has struggled the most

A closer look at the injuries reveals that the defence has been hit the hardest. Key players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have both suffered injuries. Militao has been particularly unfortunate, enduring three separate injuries.

Other notable injuries include those to midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, both of whom have been sidelined twice this season.

While some injuries have been severe, it is important to note that not all have kept players out for long. For example, despite his foot injury, Tchouameni continued to play until his recent ankle issue forced him off the field.

Jude Bellingham has also been dealing with a recurring shoulder problem that dates back to last season. Although many of these injuries have not been long-term, the sheer number of them has started to raise questions.

There is a silver lining

The longest injury, barring ACL, so far this season has been suffered by Eduardo Camavinga, who was sidelined for exactly six weeks due to a knee sprain following a challenge from his teammate Tchouameni just before the Super Cup.

Other notable injuries include those to Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos, who both missed over a month of action. Diaz was out for eight games due to a long abductor injury in his right leg, while Ceballos missed six games in September due to a sprained ankle.

Despite the relatively short durations of many of these injuries, the frequency of them has left the club’s medical and fitness departments under intense scrutiny. As Real Madrid continues to face injuries, the pressure on Pintus and his methods is likely to increase.

If the team’s injury problems persist, it is almost certain that the medical and fitness teams will remain the subject of close examination, especially as the season progresses and the squad’s depth is further tested.

Ultimately, while the team has managed to push through many of these injuries, the ongoing concerns over Pintus’ approach suggest that Real Madrid may need to reconsider their physical training methods. With injuries continuing to mount, the pressure to find a solution will only grow.