Real Madrid is the favorite to win LaLiga in 2023–24, but the Merengues haven’t had an easy season. For example, they lost three points against Atlético Madrid, a team from the same neighborhood.

Here are three players that Real Madrid has really lost this season.

GK The Thibaut CourtoisWhen Thibaut Courtois tore his ACL before the season even started, he was the first domino to fall.

The big Belgian is the best goalkeeper in the world, and it’s no 𝖆𝖈𝖈𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓 that Real returned to the top of the league in 2019–20, when he got back to his best in the Spanish city and won the Zamora award.

Since Courtois wasn’t playing, Real Madrid has found two good goalkeepers. They first lent Kepa Arrizbalaga to them and then switched to young star Andriy Lunin, who has been great in recent games.

However, Courtois is so good at goal that not even Lunin, who is very good, can match him. Courtois protects passes and stops shots, which gives Real Madrid’s defense a lot more room to make a mistake.

This season, they haven’t been able to use that advantage, and it shows in games like this late loss to Atlético Madrid.

The CB Éder MilitãoWhen Éder Militão tore his ACL early in the season, it was an even bigger loss for Real Madrid because they were missing probably the best center back in the world, along with new Bayern Munich player Kim Min-jae.

Militão is a brutally strong player who knows how to pass the ball well. Attackers don’t dare cross him, and the other defenders don’t have to work as hard because he can return quickly and read the game well.

Once David Alaba tore his ACL, Real Madrid was already very short-staffed at center back, and they don’t have another player on the same level as Militão.

There is hope that the Brazilian star will be able to come back from his major injury this season, but his absence has already been felt a lot. When Real doesn’t have their rising No. 3, their transition defense doesn’t work the same.

CF Benzema KarimReal Madrid couldn’t have planned for Courtois and Militão to miss games because of injuries, but they should have thought about Karim Benzema’s absence.

Real Madrid chose not to spend money on a new striker. Instead, they waited for Endrick to arrive and for the season to settle in with two wingers playing forward and no real striker.

The number of goals scored by Jude Bellingham has slowed down a bit. Real can use the experienced Joselu as a 9, but no one can replace Karim Benzema as a center forward.

It’s true that Benz wasn’t at his best in 2022–23 because he was hurt, but the cat-like scorer is missed. Real Madrid doesn’t have the same speed on the break, skill at finishing, or creativity.

Vinícius Júnior is the player who is most affected by Karim The Dream’s departure. His relationship with Benz was sometimes like that of a father and son, especially when Vini was having a rough 2020–21 season.