Real Madrid's Mariano Díaz confirmed the need for immediate surgery after win against Elche

Díaz speaks on need for immediate surgery

Real Madrid played out a narrow 2-1 win away from the Spanish capital earlier today against Elche CF at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, but the result was marred by the grim injury suffered by striker Mariano Díaz.

The Premià de Mar-native and Madrid youth academy product earned his first appearance of the 2021-22 La Liga campaign in place of star striker Karim Benzema with the Frenchman rested by Carlo Ancelotti, but was repaid with a broken nose after the former Dominican Republic international fell to ground before getting kicked in the face while down.

Díaz took to his personal Instagram account in the wake of the result to confirm that he required immediate surgery to correct the broken nose he has sustained.

🇩🇴 Mariano Díaz is making his first La Liga start of the season deputising for Benzema and at half-time he’s on for a strong rating from us.

Díaz has created the most chances in the game (3) so far, including the assist for Vinícius Júnior. #ElcheRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/9yje6h6NAS

— FotMob (@FotMob) October 30, 2021

He did complete all 90-minutes in his lone league appearance, however, and even added an assist for Vinícius Júnior‘s opening goal on 22-minutes that set Madrid off and running.

Real Madrid continue to lead the pack in La Liga

The 2-1 win at Elche was not the dominant performance that could have been seen under other circumstances, but the three-point haul for Carlo Ancelotti’s men was all that was required to keep Real Madrid atop the La Liga table going into next week.

ELCHE, SPAIN – OCTOBER 30: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the La Liga Santander match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero on October 30, 2021 in Elche, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)

With just one loss in the opening eleven fixtures and a league-leading 26-goals, Madrid are in a tough fight with unexpected early contenders Sevilla and Real Sociedad as the trio sit on 24-points, just three ahead of high-flying Real Betis.

Already eight points ahead of their biggest rival in Barcelona – who look set to welcome back Xavi as the managerial replacement for Ronald Koeman – Ancelotti’s outfit are already the heavy favorite to outlast the early pretenders to the La Liga throne and secure their 35th league title.

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