Dani Carvajal ruled out for four weeks after injury in Atletico Madrid loss

Real Madrid’s defensive problems have deepened after Dani Carvajal was ruled out with a calf injury suffered during Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The captain limped off in the second half of the derby and scans confirmed damage to the soleus muscle in his right leg. The club did not specify an exact timeframe for his recovery, but reports in Spain suggest he could be sidelined for around four weeks.

The setback leaves Real Madrid without a recognised right-back, as Trent Alexander-Arnold is already out until late November with a hamstring injury sustained against Marseille. It is the second time in two months that Xabi Alonso has lost both senior players for the same position.

Carvajal has been a constant presence since returning from injury in July, featuring in seven of Madrid’s eight matches this season.

The Spaniard is expected to miss league matches against Villarreal, Getafe and Barcelona, as well as Champions League fixtures with Kairat Almaty and Juventus. Whether he recovers in time for the first Clasico of the campaign on 26 October remains uncertain.

Alonso now faces a familiar dilemma. Federico Valverde has often been asked to fill in at right-back and may once again be moved from midfield to cover the absence.

The Uruguayan is not naturally suited to the role but provides energy and defensive discipline, while his versatility allows Madrid to cope with shortages elsewhere.

Another option is 22-year-old academy graduate Raul Asencio, although he has limited first-team experience. Madrid supporters have seen makeshift solutions at right-back before, including in last season’s Champions League clash with Salzburg when Valverde was forced into the role.

The timing could hardly be worse for Alonso, who is still searching for balance in his side after their derby humiliation. Madrid’s defensive record has already come under scrutiny, with Antonio Rudiger also unavailable, and losing their two first-choice right-backs only compounds the problem.

For now, the responsibility will fall on tactical reshuffles and squad depth. Eduardo Camavinga could see more minutes in midfield if Valverde drops deeper, while Jude Bellingham may be asked to adjust his role to maintain balance.

Madrid travel to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League on Tuesday. Alonso must now prepare his side without either Carvajal or Alexander-Arnold, a scenario that threatens to define the coming weeks of their season.