Real Madrid: Full-back Dani Carvajal joins growing injury list

Dani Carvajal was taken off with a leg injury during Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Eibar on 29 November [Sunday]. The 23-year-old player pulled up and was replaced by Karim Benzema 84 minutes into the match.

Spanish daily Marca said Carvajal suffered muscle fatigue and could miss the Copa del Rey tie against Cadiz on 2 December. Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is already without Raphael Varane, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos due to various injuries.

The lack of fit defenders could force Benitez to draft midfielder Casemiro into central defence alongside Pepe at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza, with Danilo and Nacho deployed in the full-back positions.

Vital win

A goal towards the end of the first half from Gareth Bale — his first for his club since August — and a late penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real victory at the Ipurua Municipal Stadium. Benitez praised the work rate of his players in securing a vital win following back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Sevilla.

"Getting the three points and doing so with such a willingness to dig in was important," Benitez was quoted as saying by Real's official website. "The key to maintaining that strength in the future is that the team show that same level of sacrifice, hard work, intensity and effort. It's November and there's still loads of time to go. We have a great team and we're going to fight to win every game from here until the end of the season."

The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli boss reserved special praise for Ronaldo, who scored his 16th goal of the season at Eibar. "Cristiano Ronaldo got a goal, created chances and worked for the team. He contributed to the win and I was delighted with his performance," he said.

Real are six points off leaders Barcelona and two points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid in the La Liga table after 13 matches.