Militao Reasserts Dominance, Solidifies Real Madrid Defense After Injury Return
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PALMA, MALLORCA – Eder Militao has emphatically reclaimed his position as a central figure in Real Madrid’s defense, delivering a commanding performance against Mallorca that signals a full return to form following two consecutive ACL injuries.Manager Carlo Ancelotti appears poised to reinstate militao as the leader of the backline, a role he previously held before his setbacks.
Militao’s comeback is being hailed as a notable boost for Los Blancos,akin to securing a new high-quality signing. His assured display against Mallorca showcased his quality and reaffirmed his importance to the team, particularly alongside fellow center-back Antonio Rüdiger, recreating a formidable partnership previously disrupted by injury.
Statistical Standout Against Mallorca
Militao’s impact extended beyond qualitative observations, demonstrated by key statistics from the match.he won six of his nine duels, matching Mallorca’s Martin Valjent for the highest total on the pitch. The Brazilian also ranked third in tackles (two) and aerial duels won (two), trailing only Huijsen and Valjent.
Notably, Militao lead all players in passing accuracy, completing 44 of 47 passes for a 94% success rate.Before his injuries, Militao and Rüdiger formed a rock-solid defensive pairing under Ancelotti. While Rüdiger stepped up as the leader in Militao’s absence, the availability of both players now provides Ancelotti with a powerful and experienced central defensive duo.
Dedicated Recovery Fuels Return
Militao’s successful return is a testament to months of dedicated rehabilitation. He worked extensively at Real Madrid’s training facility, Valdebebas, and collaborated with the club’s trusted physiotherapist, Jaime Salom. Additionally, he undertook extra sessions with his personal trainer, Romario Queiroz, demonstrating a relentless commitment to regaining his peak condition.
His determination was evident during the recent Club World Cup, where he pushed for playing time despite limited minutes. Now, fully integrated under Ancelotti’s guidance, Militao appears ready to re-establish himself as one of Europe’s premier defenders, providing Real Madrid with a renewed defensive solidity as La Liga competition intensifies.
(Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
