Why Real Madrid are increasingly ‘concerned’ about Antonio Rüdiger

The powers that be at La Liga giants Real Madrid are growing increasingly concerned by the fitness of star defender Antonio Rüdiger.

That’s according to Relevo, who have on Sunday provided an insight into developments behind the scenes in Spain’s capital.

Rüdiger, for his part, has of course played a leading role for Carlo Ancelotti’s Real across the season to date.

In Los Blancos’ 16 outings across all competitions, in fact, the German international has featured from the off in all but one.

If the medical staff at Valdebebas had their way, however, then Rüdiger would be spending far less time on the pitch, and more time resting.

This comes amid ongoing ‘concern’ surrounding the former Chelsea man’s knee.

Rüdiger has suffered a number of knee injuries over the course of his career, including an ACL tear whilst on the books of AS Roma.

With the stopper now entering the latter years of his career, the Real Madrid coaching and medical staff alike were therefore keen to adjust his game-time this season accordingly.

Owing to a series of factors, chiefly David Alaba’s slow recovery, the failed swoop for Leny Yoro, and the serious knee injury suffered by Joan Martínez, however, as much has simply not been possible.

Conor Laird – GSFN