Cucurella Injury Concern as Madrid Faces Challenges
Madrid’s first defeat of the season came with a sting in the tail.
Beaten by Real Betis, they not only lost their unbeaten record but also watched Marc Cucurella limp out late on, throwing fresh doubt over José Mourinho’s plans for a crucial European week.
Cucurella scare as fatigue bites
Cucurella, who has recently nailed down the starting left-back spot ahead of Alvaro Carreras, asked to come off in the closing stages. The change immediately set alarm bells ringing, given how quickly he has become a cornerstone of Mourinho’s back line.
Mourinho moved to calm the mood after the final whistle, insisting the switch was precautionary.
“Carreras coming on for Cucurella due to cramps,” he told reporters, framing it as a case of physical fatigue rather than a serious injury.
Even so, the timing is awkward. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the issue is not thought to be major, but the window to recover before midweek is painfully tight. The recent World Cup winner has only a couple of days to prove he can go again before Madrid step back onto the European stage.
If he doesn’t make it, the knock-on effect could be severe.
Injury list grows as suspensions bite
Cucurella risks joining an already swollen absentee list that has left Mourinho’s options stretched across the pitch.
- Aurelien Tchouameni
- Eder Militao
- Rodrygo
- Ferland Mendy
- Endrick
are all currently sidelined with injuries. Inside the club, there is still hope that Tchouameni or Rodrygo might recover in time to feature, but nothing is guaranteed.
The situation is worsened by suspensions. Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga are all ruled out, stripping Madrid of creativity, control and depth in one sweep.
Between injuries and bans, Mourinho is being forced to juggle a squad that suddenly looks thin in several key areas.
High stakes before Inter test
Madrid will be back on the training pitch on Sunday, trying to reset quickly before their Champions League opener. Inter Milan arrive on Tuesday, and what might have been framed as a statement night now feels like a test of resilience.
The domestic defeat has sharpened the stakes. Dropping points again, this time against heavyweight European opposition, would crank up the pressure at an uncomfortable speed.
Mourinho will watch Cucurella closely in the next sessions, weighing risk against necessity before locking in his squad. If the left-back fails to convince the medical staff, Carreras is expected to step into the starting XI for what already feels like a pivotal night.
One league loss, a growing injury list, and Inter on the horizon. How quickly can Madrid steady themselves?
