Real Madrid suffered a double blow with the loss of their captain Dani Carvajal after UEFA announced his suspension following his red card against Marseille, coupled with a new injury that will keep him off the field for a considerable period.

The UEFA Disciplinary Committee revealed that Carvajal was suspended for two matches after receiving a red card in the first round of the Champions League against Marseille, following a violent tackle on the French team’s goalkeeper. Consequently, the Real Madrid captain will miss the matches against Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty and Italy’s Juventus.

Real Madrid announced that medical examinations showed an injury to the player’s right soleus muscle, without officially specifying the duration of his absence. However, Spanish media reports suggest the veteran defender will be sidelined for about four weeks, meaning he will miss several important domestic and European matches.

Carvajal’s absence is confirmed for tonight’s match against Kairat Almaty in the second Champions League round, in addition to domestic matches against Villarreal and Getafe, a European clash against Juventus, and the highly anticipated El Clasico against Barcelona. These absences pose a significant challenge for the coach given the player’s defensive importance and leadership experience.

Carvajal’s absence forces the coaching staff to find alternative solutions in defense, especially with a congested match schedule, increasing the team’s difficulty in the coming weeks. Real Madrid will need to find defensive balance without their key captain, who is a crucial pillar in the lineup.