Real Madrid boss offers Fede Valverde update amid injury fears

Real Madrid's biggest problem right now are injuries. The results and performances have been pretty good this season so far, perhaps a lot better than most people would have expected considering their lack of squad depth and weaknesses in some positions. But with one player after another heading for the sidelines, the situation is starting to become unmanageable.

Naturally, when Fede Valverde was taken off at half-time in the game against Union Berlin in the Champions League, there were many fans who feared that the Uruguayan midfielder had picked up an issue as well. After all, that is how bad Real Madrid's luck has been lately.

Fortunately though, it looks like that was not the case. The decision to replace Valverde with Toni Kroos was planned according to Carlo Ancelotti.

As reported by MARCA, Ancelotti said about Valverde's substitution while speaking to Movistar:

"It was planned."

Real Madrid boss offers Fede Valverde update amid injury fears

That must be music to the ears of the Real Madrid supporters. Valverde is a key part of this team and him getting injured would have been a problem for Ancelotti's side.

Real Madrid already have problems in midfield. Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, both considered starters when fit and available, are out injured right now. Thus, they would not want to see Valverde heading for the sidelines as well.

Valverde has been an integral part of the team this season, even though his output in the final third has gone down following the change in system and the arrival of Jude Bellingham to play in the most advanced midfield role. So far in this campaign, he has featured in every match and not started just two.

Real Madrid did turn the game around in the second half after Valverde was replaced by Kroos. They came back from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead against Union Berlin. The German club equalised in the 85th minute but then Dani Ceballos scored the winner for Los Blancos in the 89th minute.