Real Madrid lost one of their best players during the international break. Caroline Weir was injured with Scotland during the Women’s Nations League and will miss almost the entire season. The midfielder ruptured her cruciate ligament, one of the most common and toughest injuries in women’s football.
The Whites and their fans were left scratching their heads when they learned of the injury to their star player at the start of the season. The departure of Esther González and the injury to Caroline Weir left the biggest question mark over who would now be in charge of scoring Real Madrid’s goals.
Since her arrival in July 2022, Caroline Weir has become the player who has played the most minutes in Liga F for the white team. As if that wasn’t enough, the midfielder is the club’s second top scorer, behind only Esther González. Her influence on the game is very great and practically all of Real Madrid’s football passed through her boots.
Alberto Toril’s turn has come. The coach of the white team seems to be taking a step forward and has begun to experiment after losing his star player. There are many players who are competing for the position to replace Caroline Weir, something that seems very complicated due to the profile of the player. However, the tests seem to be going well and Real Madrid are going for more.
The player most likely to fill Weir ‘s place is one of the latest additions: Signe Bruun. She is Real Madrid’s ‘9’, but she is not bad at starting from further back and giving ‘air’ to the midfield. The Danish player has started the season like a shot and has already scored three goals for Real Madrid.
Another of the great revelations of the season has been Sandie Toletti. The midfielder has taken the reins of the team and has been decisive in Real Madrid’s recent games. The Frenchwoman has played a major role in her three seasons at Real Madrid, although there was speculation this summer that she might leave the club. Her contract expires in 2024 and Real Madrid must get their act together.
To these players must be added Tere Abelleira and Claudia Zornoza, both world champions and who have great ambition to become starters. The former has been a key player for Spain, but seems not to fit into Alberto Toril’s schemes at times.
On the radar for the starting line-up are players like Maite Oroz and Freja Siri. Both players leave good feelings on the pitch every time they have had the opportunity to play, but perhaps they have not had the regularity of minutes they expect.
Real Madrid have shown in recent games that they have something special in their DNA that few teams have. This has been reflected above all in the comebacks that are becoming a regular occurrence for the team coached by Alberto Toril. The clear example is their last two games against Villarreal (La Liga) and Vålerenga Football (UWCL).
Real Madrid have learned to suffer and to know how to get out of complicated situations. Every season, the team gets better and better and shows its ‘maturity’ in big games, despite the difficulties. Against Villarreal, they didn’t stop believing and got the three points almost in the last play of the game thanks to Bruun’s goal.
Their biggest thorn in their side is the Champions League. This season they are back in contention for qualification in the qualifying round and it is not going to be easy. Their last meeting in the second round against Vålerenga Football ended with a minimal first leg result after a lot of hard work. Rocío Gálvez and Claudia Zornoza scored the two goals that give them the advantage for the second leg in Sweden (2-1).
Real Madrid’s main objective right now is to be in the draw for the final phase of the European competition. They are just one step away, but playing in Sweden next Wednesday will not be easy. Tickets are selling all the time and the atmosphere will certainly not be too hostile for the madridistas. At home, at the Di Stéfano, Real Madrid are unbeaten, but they will have to prove their worth away from home.
At this key point in the season, Real Madrid must prove that there is life after Caroline Weir’s injury. Players such as Athenea and Olga Carmona have taken the team by storm after the World Cup. It is true that they are a very young squad, with a lot to learn, but they must continue to grow in order to win the first title in the history of the team.
Now we have to watch Real Madrid in their next matches, which will be decisive in the season. Against FC Barcelona, they will have a luxury setting. The Catalan club will open the Lluís Companys stadium to host this league match on 19 November. ‘El Clásico’ has arrived in women’s football and it is expected to be a thrilling game given the level of both teams. Tickets are flying out and the stands are sure to be filled with scarves and fans wearing the shirts of their favourite players.
This must be the year that Real Madrid show that they are committed to women’s football. The signings seem to be of a high standard and now it’s time to talk on the pitch. It has only just started, but it looks very good. The teams seem to be more evenly matched every day and every detail will make a difference in the results of the season.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @realmadridfem.
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