The biggest issue Real Madrid failed to address in a troubling season | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s already difficult season took another blow following Antonio Rudiger’s red card in the Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona, further escalating a crisis that has plagued the team all year.

While his actions cannot be defended, they reflect the bigger challenges that Real Madrid have faced this season, which include a string of suspensions and injuries that have left them struggling to find their best lineup.

To put the current situation into perspective, up to eight Real Madrid players have been forced to watch matches from the stands due to suspensions, including red cards or accumulated yellow cards, in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Rudiger joins the list

Rudiger, who had not been part of this group, is set to join the list after receiving a red card against Barcelona.

His suspension will add to an already frustrating season for the German defender, who has also been battling knee problems that could potentially rule him out of the upcoming Club World Cup.

Adding to the defensive woes, Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham will also serve suspensions following their red cards in the same match against Barça.

Many Real Madrid players have missed matches due to suspension this season. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Both players had already missed games earlier in the season due to suspensions, but their absences now add further strain on an already stretched squad.

Lack of discipline

This season, Madrid players have been more frequently sanctioned than in recent years. The team has faced intense scrutiny from officials, with only one referee, Cesar Soto Grado, responsible for three red cards in just four games officiated.

However, the bigger issue for Madrid lies in the sheer number of suspensions they have faced.

Key players such as Ferland Mendy, Vazquez, Vinicius Jr. (twice), Bellingham (twice, with a third potentially pending), Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and even Kylian Mbappe have all missed games due to suspensions.

With 11 players missing matches for disciplinary reasons this season, Real Madrid have been forced to rotate more than usual, impacting their ability to maintain a consistent starting lineup.

Rudiger’s suspension is particularly concerning, as his absence could be felt in crucial upcoming fixtures.

The squad depth that once looked so formidable has been tested to its limits, and the team will need to find a way to adapt without several of their key players available.