Real Madrid is grappling with a concerning level of injury issues within its defensive lineup, as evidenced by the fact that more than half of the team's defenders have missed a substantial number of matches. This precarious situation has been highlighted by the recent injury of Dani Ceballos, who will be out for approximately six weeks due to a muscle problem. His absence adds to a growing list of key players affected by physical fragility, which has been a recurrent theme for the club this season.

The team's struggle with injuries is further exacerbated by the conditional presence of other defenders like Dani Carvajal and David Alaba, both of whom have faced their own injury setbacks leading to inconsistent appearances in the lineup. Carvajal, for instance, had not started a match since September, indicating a critical lack of stability in the defensive ranks. As Real Madrid aimed for a strong showing in their latest match while defending their league position, these injury concerns have prevented them from capitalizing on their strengths.

These ongoing issues raise significant questions about the long-term implications for the team's strategy and overall success in both domestic and European competitions. The reliance on players who are frequently unavailable could hinder coach Carlo Ancelotti's plans moving forward. Given this environment of uncertainty, Real Madrid needs to address not only their physical conditioning but also their depth in squad selections to navigate the challenges ahead in the season.