Sami Khedira out again with ruptured muscle

Sami Khedira was taken off at halftime during Real Madrid's drubbing at the hands of nefarious rivals Atleti this past Saturday. Many saw this as a tactical change from Carlo as Sami wasn't playing well and another attacker was needed to try and get back in the match.

However, reports surfaced soon after the substitution that the change wasn't a tactical one but rather one due to injury. Now after a couple of days of tests, it appears that this is true as COPE is reporting that Khedira has a "ruptured" biceps femoris. I'm no medical professional so I won't pretend to know the severity of the injury, but some early reports are saying a minimum of three weeks out for the big German.

What does this mean for the team? Well, depth in the midfield is already stretched about as thin as possible. Toni Kroos and Isco will likely play every minute for the next few weeks while some combination of Asier Illarramendi and newly-joined Lucas Silva will serve as the third midfielder until Luka Modric makes his return in a few weeks.

While Khedira seems to have one foot out the door and his form hasn't been that great, this is still a pretty big hit in terms of depth and available warm bodies. Thankfully the schedule eases up a little bit in he coming days but this is one more headache that Carlo will have to navigate in a rapidly nerve-wracking season.

All the best to Sami.