Real Madrid Face goes with a provisional central defense pairing in the playoff of the Champions League against Manchester City after David Alaba had suffered a further setback for injuries.
The Austrian national player returned from a 13-month absence last month, and the head of Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti.
But Alaba has now suffered a thigh problem that could keep him away for up to three weeks. Antonio Rudiger suffered a thigh injury against Espanyol on Saturday – his schedule for recovery is the same as that of Alaba – while Eder is on the road for the season.
It is a terrible timing for Madrid who, with Atletico Madrid, to the weekend derby and both games against City with a temporary defense pairing by midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Youngster Raul Ascio.
Alaba Medical Report.
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@Realmadriden) 4th February 2025
“After the tests carried out by Real Madrid’s medical services on our player David Alaba, he was diagnosed with an adductor muscle injury in his left leg,” says a club declaration.
Five crunch games ahead
Alaba and rudder were able to miss the following games:
- Leganes (A) – Copa del Rey – February 5
- Atletico Madrid (H) – February
- Manchester City (A) – Champions League – February 11th
- Osasuna (A) – February
- Manchester City (H) – Champions League – February 19 (doubtful)
To increase Tchouameni and Ascio
Tchouameni had to fill out several times this season in defense, while 21-year-old Ascio only played 14 games for Madrid, including four in the Champions League.
Madrid will compete in Copa del Rey tomorrow evening, but without Jew Bellingham and Vinicius Jr., both of whom have missed training today and could be rested for the draw in the Municipal Butarque in Estadio.
The men of Ancelotti are still the top of the La Liga despite 1-0 defeat on Saturday against Espanyol, but they are now only one point ahead of Atletico and four in front of Barcelona.
