Report: Real Madrid Defender Nacho Out for 8 Weeks, Casemiro Sidelined

Real Madrid defender Nacho could reportedly be out for up to eight weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury during Sunday's 4-2 win at Celta Vigo, while Casemiro will be sidelined due to an ankle knock.

Cadena Cope (h/t Football Espana) reported on centre-back Nacho's disappointing diagnosis, although interim manager Santiago Solari will be pleased to hear Casemiro is expected to be back "much quicker."

Nacho has started nine times in La Liga this season and has been a versatile option in Real's defence, splitting his time between central defence and both full-back positions.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan confirmed Cadena Cope's initial report and suggested the impact that's likely to have on Real's plans:

Nacho was for some years seen as part of the furniture in an otherwise world-class squad at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he's been an important component in their rise to success the past two seasons in particular.

Marco Asensio replaced the defender after 71 minutes against Celta, adding another back-line absence to a Real side that's already been depleted in recent weeks.

Centre-backs Raphael Varane and Jesus Vallejo were out injured, as were full-backs Marcelo and Dani Carvajal.

Nacho's enforced hiatus puts more pressure on Varane to recover from his knock and come back to partner captain Sergio Ramos, although sports writer Tom Allnutt recently argued neither is having a good season by their usual standards:

Solari will be pleased with the timing of the international break, which gifts him an extra week to get his injured players back before they return to La Liga commitments at Eibaron Saturday, November 24.

If Nacho is absent for the entire eight weeks, it means he could miss nine matches between now and January 12, although that could increase to 10 if Real go further at the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. The club are not due to be in action in the United Arab Emirates until December 19.

Casemiro, meanwhile, will be hoping to feature sooner than that, although South American football writer Robbie Blakeley detailed the impact his knock could have on international matters:

Alvaro Odriozola should continue to deputise at right-back, although the left side of defence could prove more problematic now that Nacho and reserve left-back Sergio Reguillon were both injured at Celta.

Real face AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on November 27 and will want to be as well-stocked as possible for their trip to Italy, with the two teams joint-top of Group G after four games apiece.