Seriously! Real Madrid Challenge Levante Without Five Starting Players

Real Madrid's training, could not be followed by five injured core players. (photo: twitter @realmadrid)

JAKARTA - Real Madrid's main midfielder, Luka Modric, is expected to miss the match against Levante, Sunday 22 August, or early Monday WIB. The groin injury suffered by the Croatian player during the El Real training session made him have to rest.

Modrić will not be part of the squad traveling to Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Sunday for their second away game of the La Liga regular season. The timeline for Modric's recovery will be known soon after clinical tests over the weekend.

Los Blancos will be monitoring the situation very closely as the 35-year-old has the potential to lose more games. If that happens, it will be a huge loss for Carlo Ancelotti, who will have to strategize in the absence of Modric.

Modric's groin injury is believed to be very complicated, so Real Madrid will have to be careful in getting him back to fitness. They should not be rushed in any way, despite the known urgency. In addition, Modrić's midfield partner, Toni Kroos, also had to be sidelined due to injury. On paper, this is a disaster for Real Madrid.

Modric's absence comes at a crucial time for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are already dealing with the absences of Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, Kroos and Marcelo. With several key players missing, Modric's injury is one of the pressures that could derail their momentum.

During their first game of the La Liga season, Modrić was Real Madrid's second best player on the pitch after Karim Benzema. He contributed one assist and set up several key passes which resulted in many offensive threats during the game.

In Real Madrid's last match against Deportivo Alavés, Ancelotti started with Modrić, Casemiro and Valverde in midfield. It looks like for the next game, only Casemiro is available from the previous three options. Now Ancelotti can be forced to field Isco and Federico Valverde.

Given the injury problems at Real Madrid, the La Liga giants could face a tough test from Levante in their next fixture. Modric's absence in midfield leaves a void and could significantly affect their prospects in midfield.

Notably, Levante secured a win in the match last season and did not give up easily. However, they conceded an equalizer in the opening game of the season against Cadiz last weekend.