Real Madrid were extremely thin in midfield even before they sold Xabi Alonso, and now they're left with just three fit players in the center of the park. The club have announced that Sami Khedira has sustained a left thigh injury while training with the German national team, and AS is reporting that it could sideline him for two months.
Real Madrid facing midfield crisis with Sami Khedira out injured
Denis Doyle
Of the three healthy midfielders remaining in the Madrid squad, none are like Khedira. He's their most energetic player in the center and the closest thing they have to a ball-winner. Luka Modric has done a decent job as the team's most defensive midfielder, but it's certainly not his best role. Meanwhile, Asier Illaramendi has been disappointing since arriving from Real Sociedad and Toni Kroos has been better when playing an advanced role for his entire career.
Khedira's absence is probably going to force Carlo Ancelotti to switch from a 4-3-3 to a two-midfielder system, and it also likely means that Modric is going to have to play as a true holder. It's hardly ideal, and potentially disastrous for matches against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Barcelona. Khedira is definitely going to miss the first Madrid Derby of the season, and will likely be out for matches against the latter two sides as well.
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