Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid’s versatile French midfielder, suffered a calf injury during a training session on Monday, March 15. This is a big blow for Los Blancos, who are set to face Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on March 16.
Camavinga, who joined Real Madrid from Rennes in the summer of 2020, has become an important player for Zinedine Zidane’s side. The 18-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions this season, including six starts in La Liga and two in the Champions League.
Although Camavinga has mostly been used as a substitute this season, he has shown his quality and his ability to adapt to different positions on the pitch. He can play as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or even as a winger. His versatility has made him an asset for Real Madrid, particularly in games where Zidane needs to change the team’s shape or strategy.
However, Camavinga’s injury means that he is unlikely to feature in the second leg of Real Madrid’s tie against Manchester City. The Spanish side lost the first leg 2-1 at home, and they will need to score at least two goals at the Etihad Stadium to progress to the quarterfinals.
Without Camavinga, Real Madrid will need to rely on their other midfielders, such as Casemiro, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric, to control the game against a talented Manchester City side. Zidane may also need to tweak the team’s formation or tactics to make up for Camavinga’s absence, which could affect the team’s balance and rhythm.
Camavinga’s injury is also a concern for the French national team, who will have to name their squad for this summer’s European Championship in just a few weeks. Camavinga has been a regular member of the national team setup since his debut in 2020, and he is seen as a future star for Les Bleus.
It remains to be seen how serious Camavinga’s injury is, and how long he will be sidelined. Real Madrid will hope that he can recover quickly and return to the team as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Spanish giants will have to do without one of their most promising young talents in a crucial European tie against Manchester City.
