Real Madrid’s emphatic 4-0 win over Osasuna last weekend highlighted both their ability to bounce back and the ongoing struggles that have defined their season.
This victory, crucial after a 3-2 defeat to AC Milan just days prior, marked a return to form for a team that lost only twice in the entire 2023-24 campaign. However, the match also exacerbated the club’s injury woes, with Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Lucas Vázquez all sidelined.
Currently, nine Madrid players are unavailable due to injuries. Militão suffered his second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in as many seasons, while Rodrygo and Vázquez are expected to be out for about a month with muscle injuries. Earlier this season, Dani Carvajal and young center-back Joan Martínez also sustained ACL injuries. This follows a similar pattern from last year, which saw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Militão grappling with severe setbacks.
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Internal Discord at Real Madrid: Injury Crisis Sparks Friction
So far, a staggering 17 players have been injured this season, with several experiencing recurring issues, adding to Real Madrid’s growing concerns on and off the pitch.
Real Madrid’s persistent injury crisis has not only depleted the squad but also created divisions within the team and coaching staff. Disputes over physical preparation and training methods have fueled tensions behind the scenes. According to information obtained by The Athletic:
- Antonio Pintus’ Controversial Role: The physical trainer has become a polarizing figure within the club. Some view his methods as outdated, while others in the dressing room are displeased with the media attention he has attracted in recent years.
- Debates Over Running Stats: Disagreements have arisen among the coaching staff about the emphasis placed on how far players run during matches.
- Francesco Mauri’s Temperament: The assistant coach and set-piece specialist has reportedly exhibited volatile behavior both during games and in private settings.
- Scheduling Strain: Sources close to Pintus attribute Madrid’s injury woes to multiple factors, including the relentless intensity of the team’s schedule.
Individuals working at or closely associated with Real Madrid, who shared these insights with The Athletic, did so anonymously to safeguard their positions or relationships. The club has been approached for comment regarding these developments.
Real Madrid’s Worst Injury Crisis in Recent Memory
Real Madrid is enduring one of its most challenging seasons in terms of player availability, with a staggering 25 injuries recorded in just the first three months of the campaign. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is currently without nine key players, including David Alaba, Joan Martínez, Dani Carvajal, Jacobo Ramón, Éder Militão, Thibaut Courtois, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Lucas Vázquez, and Rodrygo.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of this season’s injuries:
Players and Their Injuries
- Thibaut Courtois: 2 injuries (two adductor muscle issues).
- Dani Carvajal: 1 injury (ACL and meniscus).
- Lucas Vázquez: 1 injury (adductor muscle).
- Éder Militão: 3 injuries (two muscle issues, ACL and meniscus).
- David Alaba: 1 injury (ACL from the previous season).
- Jesús Vallejo: At least 1 injury (muscular problems).
- Jacobo Ramón: 3 injuries (hip issues).
- Joan Martínez: 1 injury (ACL).
- Ferland Mendy: 1 injury (muscle strain).
- Aurélien Tchouaméni: 2 injuries (foot and ankle sprain).
- Eduardo Camavinga: 1 injury (knee sprain).
- Jude Bellingham: 1 injury (muscle strain).
- Dani Ceballos: 1 injury (ankle sprain).
- Brahim Díaz: 1 injury (thigh muscle).
- Vinícius Júnior: 1 injury (neck issue).
- Rodrygo: 3 injuries (muscle and back problems).
- Kylian Mbappé (loan signing): 1 injury (muscle strain).
The Numbers Behind the Crisis
- A total of 17 players have faced injuries, some repeatedly.
- Among these, knee and ACL injuries have been particularly prevalent, affecting key defenders like Militão, Alaba, and Martínez.
This unprecedented wave of injuries has left Real Madrid with significant challenges, impacting their performances and raising questions about the club’s training, medical management, and fixture congestion.
Tensions Rise Over Fitness Methods
The ongoing injury crisis at Real Madrid has prompted internal unrest, particularly concerning the club’s fitness protocols under head of performance Antonio Pintus. As players like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham continue to play through discomfort, questions have arisen about the effectiveness of Pintus’ approach.
Tchouaméni, for example, had been managing a persistent foot injury before recently suffering an ankle issue, while Bellingham has dealt with a lingering shoulder problem since last season. Despite their injuries, both have continued to feature in matches, adding to the pressure on the club’s medical and coaching staff.
Pintus Under Scrutiny
Pintus, an Italian fitness expert who has worked with top clubs such as Chelsea, Juventus, and Inter Milan before joining Real Madrid in 2016, is now at the center of the debate. His second stint at the club began in 2021 when manager Carlo Ancelotti returned, and his influence has been prominent, even earning praise from players. For example, during pre-season in 2023, Bellingham joked about Pintus’ demanding nature, saying, “Pintus loves to kill us… but yes, I love him. He’s a great guy.”
Pintus is known for his high-tech methods, including using special masks to monitor players’ oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, tailoring training to individual needs. He also collaborated with NASA during Real Madrid’s U.S. tour this year to enhance his understanding of human performance.
However, his role has grown more contentious. This summer, Pintus was promoted from first-team fitness coach to head of performance, along with a new contract, as other clubs expressed interest in him. Despite his credentials, his relationship with Ancelotti has become strained, with some players and staff members frustrated by his failure to take responsibility for key decisions, particularly regarding the recovery of injured players.
Disagreement on Physical Intensity and Workload
One major point of contention within the coaching staff is the intensity of the team’s physical output in matches. Data compiled by The Athletic reveals that Real Madrid ranks 19th out of 20 teams in La Liga for total distance covered per 90 minutes this season. Some attribute this to the team’s high possession style, where the ball does much of the “running.” However, Ancelotti and others believe the players need to cover more ground, highlighting this issue during team discussions.
Staff members are divided on the significance of this discrepancy. While some stress the importance of total distance, others argue that the real concern lies in the distance covered at maximum intensity. For instance, during Madrid’s 4-0 win against Osasuna, while the team’s total distance covered was among the lowest of the season, their distance at high intensity was among the highest.
Concerns Over Training Outside Matches
Further tensions have surfaced over the team’s physical work outside of match days. A notable example involves Kylian Mbappé, who was not included in the France squad for the October international break due to fitness concerns. While away, Mbappé and Pintus agreed on a low-intensity training regimen in Sweden. However, a day before Real Madrid’s international players returned, Pintus reportedly called Mbappé back to the club’s Valdebebas training ground for a session. Although the club released photos of the session, sources indicated that the forward only participated in a brief run, raising questions about the effectiveness of such training methods.
The Divisive Impact of Antonio Pintus’ Fitness Methods at Real Madrid
Antonio Pintus, Real Madrid’s head of performance, has become a polarizing figure within the club due to his fitness methods, which some players and staff feel are not intense enough for a top-tier team. While certain players are comfortable with his tailored approach to training, others, especially key figures, believe that more consistent and rigorous physical work is necessary to prevent injuries and improve overall performance.
Pintus, who adjusts his training based on individual player needs, is regarded by some as too lenient in his methods. His exercise routines are also described as somewhat outdated by those involved in the team’s physical preparation. This has led to a growing divide within the club, as some feel his approach is not keeping pace with the demands of modern football.
Stress of Intense Schedules and Lack of Pre-Season Preparation
Supporters of Pintus’ methods argue that the club’s intense fixture schedule, combined with a lack of proper pre-season preparation, has contributed significantly to the injury problems plaguing the team. They point to Girona, who faced 12 first-team injuries during October, suggesting that such injury crises are not unique to Madrid. However, this perspective is overshadowed by mounting frustrations with Pintus’ approach and the internal disarray it has caused.
A Growing Rift with the Coaching Staff
As tensions rise, those familiar with the club’s inner workings claim that Pintus has distanced himself from the rest of the coaching staff. His reluctance to share details about his training methods and his seemingly secretive nature have made it difficult to maintain coordination within the team. While the physical team includes notable figures like Giuseppe Bellistri, Sebastien Devillaz, and Jose Carlos Parrales, there remains a sense of mistrust surrounding Pintus, amplified by his increasingly isolated position within the club.
In a bid to foster better integration, Ancelotti moved his son-in-law, Mino Fulco, into a more prominent role, transitioning from nutritionist and assistant to performance manager. However, this shift has done little to ease the underlying tension within the coaching team.
Discontent Over Public Prominence and Close Ties to Florentino Pérez
One of the key points of frustration for those working within the club is Pintus’ public prominence, which often paints him in a positive light. However, when things go wrong, particularly regarding injuries, he is accused of avoiding responsibility. This has fostered resentment among some staff members, especially because of his close relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. One source explained that Pintus’ deep ties to Pérez make him feel untouchable, further compounding feelings of unease within the ranks.
Pintus has also expressed his dissatisfaction with the leaks coming out of the dressing room, which have further complicated the situation. Despite these tensions, it’s important to note that Pintus maintains a distant but polite relationship with Ancelotti. The head coach has made it clear that he wants to maintain a civil atmosphere among his staff, even in the face of growing discontent.
Managing Internal Strain
Carlo Ancelotti’s son and assistant coach, Davide, has been praised for his role in managing the internal dynamics of the team. His calm demeanor has helped prevent public blow-ups during moments of tension.
In fact, in the training session before Madrid’s 4-0 win against Osasuna, Carlo and Pintus were seen having a productive discussion while overseeing the players’ drills. This image of cooperation was seen as a sign that, despite internal strife, the coaching staff can still function cohesively in high-pressure situations.
Youth Injuries and Growing Tensions Within Coaching Staff
The injuries sustained by youth players Martinez and Ramon while training with the first team have raised concerns, as they are reportedly less physically developed compared to senior squad members. The increasing injury rate has prompted the club to transfer fitness coach Ruben Cipriano from the youth setup to work alongside Parrales with the first team.
Additionally, assistant coach and set-piece specialist Francesco Mauri has been displaying temperamental behavior, both on the touchline and behind the scenes. Mauri, the son of Carlo Ancelotti’s former physical coach Giovanni Mauri, has grown into an important role within the first-team setup, working alongside Davide Ancelotti. However, his recent conduct, particularly during matches, has caused frustration among some coaching staff.
Sources close to the situation suggest Mauri’s fiery personality, which contrasts with the calm demeanor of the Ancelottis, has led to some tension, especially with Davide. As he embarks on a coaching career of his own, there are uncertainties about the future of his partnership with Davide Ancelotti at the club. With injuries continuing to mount, scrutiny on Madrid’s medical and fitness departments is only set to intensify.
Read More: Why Sergio Ramos’ Return is Not What Real Madrid Needs: A Case Against Nostalgia
FAQs
Why are Real Madrid players getting injured?
Injuries are linked to intense training, a lack of proper pre-season, and players playing through discomfort.
What changes has Real Madrid made due to injuries?
Fitness coach Ruben Cipriano was promoted to assist the first team and address injury concerns.
What’s causing tension with fitness coach Pintus?
Pintus faces criticism for his training methods, with some questioning their intensity and effectiveness.
Why is Francesco Mauri causing friction?
Mauri’s temperamental behavior and aspirations to be a head coach are creating tensions within the coaching staff.