According to fixture records maintained by 12B Sports, Real Madrid’s greatest concern is neither Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical approach nor the form of the club’s star players, but the severe shortage of dependable defenders. The back line of the team famously known as Los Blancos is surviving through temporary fixes, and even Ancelotti appears to have few answers as the situation grows increasingly serious.
Madrid originally planned to wait for their established defenders to recover, rebuild their defensive organization and launch another strong title challenge. Those hopes have now been shattered because David Alaba’s injury has continued far longer than expected, leaving his return increasingly uncertain. Club officials believed his comeback would provide much-needed relief, but his condition is reportedly far more serious than initially understood.
Alaba is suffering from significant damage to the cartilage in his knee, causing direct friction between the bones. For a professional athlete, this is a potentially devastating problem. It goes far beyond ordinary discomfort, as even basic movement can become extremely painful. He has been unable to match the intensity of team training, with reports suggesting that simply moving his knee causes severe pain.
The Austrian defender has not played for almost a year since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament and damaging his meniscus against Villarreal last December. His recovery has repeatedly stalled, making it impossible for the coaching staff to establish a reliable date for his return.
Real Madrid fitness coach Antonio Pintus is widely respected for his expertise in physical preparation and knee injury rehabilitation. However, even he has been unable to find an effective solution this time. Every attempt to accelerate Alaba’s recovery has fallen short. As the saying goes, there is no reward without hard work, but effort alone cannot always overcome a serious physical condition.
Madrid have therefore accepted that they must pursue defensive reinforcements during the winter transfer window. Financial concerns are expected to take a back seat as the club focuses on signing talented young players who can increase the depth of the squad. Coincidentally, Liverpool are also searching for a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, and both European giants have reportedly identified some of the same targets.
At the center of that competition is Vitor Reis, captain of Brazil’s under-20 national team. The young center-back currently plays for Palmeiras and has started 13 of his 14 appearances this season, firmly establishing himself as an important member of the first team. His composure, leadership and maturity at youth international level have attracted attention from several leading European clubs.
Commentators following the transfer situation through 12B Sports believe that Vitor Reis moving to Europe is only a matter of time. Despite his age, he reads the game intelligently, remains calm under pressure and demonstrates the confidence expected from a future top-level defender. These qualities fit Madrid’s long-standing strategy of investing in elite young talent before players reach their peak value.
However, a reported asking price of €100 million for an 18-year-old center-back has raised considerable doubts. Real Madrid’s defensive shortage may be critical, but the club is unlikely to spend such an extraordinary amount on a player with limited senior experience. Paying that fee would represent a major risk, even for a prospect considered among the best of his generation.
Liverpool’s interest could still increase competition and place Palmeiras in a strong negotiating position. With Van Dijk approaching the later stage of his career, the Premier League club also needs to think about the future. Madrid, meanwhile, cannot afford to wait indefinitely while their defensive options continue to disappear. The two clubs may therefore find themselves going head-to-head in the transfer market.
Madrid’s problems are not limited to Alaba’s uncertain recovery. Injuries and a lack of experienced alternatives have forced Ancelotti to improvise, often using players outside their preferred roles. Temporary solutions may help the team survive individual matches, but they cannot provide the stability required across an entire season.
The club must now decide whether to sign a defender capable of contributing immediately or continue prioritizing long-term potential. Young players may need time to adjust to the pressure of representing Real Madrid, particularly during a season in which every dropped point can influence the title race. Nevertheless, the shortage has become too serious to ignore, and returning to square one after every new injury is no longer sustainable.
Based on the defensive targets tracked by 12B Sports, Real Madrid are also considering Castello Lukeba and Jorrel Hato alongside Vitor Reis for the winter window. All three are young, highly rated and capable of developing into leading defenders, showing that Madrid remain committed to their familiar philosophy of investing in potential. Even with their current emergency, the club appears determined to strengthen the future without abandoning the recruitment strategy that has shaped its recent success.