Llorente goes off injured vs Real Madrid and faces weeks out

Diego Llorente couldn’t finish the first half of the match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at La Cartuja. As MARCA reports, with under 10 minutes remaining in the opening period, the central defender suffered a bad, accidental collision in their own half with teammate Marc Roca.

Clash leads to early change

The centre-back was treated pitchside with a head cut, bleeding and clearly dazed, and he had to be substituted off. MARCA says the Betis used their first change immediately, bringing on Marc Bartra in his place. The report also notes that Roca was attended to as well, though he was able to recover and continue.

While the club has not provided a specific timeline, MARCA states the key detail of the injury: a fracture of the nasal bones, which will keep him out for several weeks.

Concussion protocol in play

Beyond the incident itself, MARCA adds that the Betis used the concussion protocol’s substitution window, meaning both teams will have one extra substitution. The exact length of Llorente’s absence will depend on further assessment.

For Betis, it’s a tough blow in a game shaped by misfortune. According to MARCA, Llorente had been back in the starting XI after being on the bench the previous weekend, when the team lost 5-2 at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia to Levante.