Real Madrid entered the playoffs of the Champions League against Manchester City with improvised central defensive pairing after David Alaba suffered another failure of injuries.
Austria International returned from the 13-month absence due to the ruptured ACL last month, and Madrid chief Carlo Ancelotti hoped to make it easier for him to be available for two-legged connections with City during the next fourth night.
But Alaba has now held a problem of thighs that could prevent it for up to three weeks. Antonio Rudiger suffered an injury to the lower leg against Espanyol on Saturday – his recovery time line is the same as Alaba – while Eder Milioto on the season.
It is a terrible time for Madrid, which faces a derby for the weekend with Atletico Madrid and both matches against City with improvised defensive pairing of midfielder Aurelien Tchoumeni and young man Raul Asencio.
Alaba medical report.
– Real Madrid Cf 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadenid) 4 February 2025
“Following the tests on our player David Alab by Real Madrid medical services, he was diagnosed with an Adductor of Adductors’ muscle injury in the left leg,” the club statement said.
Five games Crunch in front of
Alaba and Rudiger could miss the following games:
- Leganes (A) – Copa del Rey – Feb 5
- Atletico Madrid (H) – La Liga – Feb 8
- Manchester City (A) – Champions League – Feb 11
- Osasuna (A) – La Liga – Feb 15
- Manchester City (H) – Champions League – February 19 (suspicious)
Tchoumen and asencio to reinforce
Tchoumenu had to fill in defense this season, while the 21-year-old asencio had only made 14 appearances for Madrid, including four in the Champions League.
Madrid faces Leganes at Copa Del Rey tomorrow night, but look at it without Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, who have both missed training today and will remain for a tie on the municipal Butterque estio.
Men Accelotti are still at the top of La Liga, despite Saturday, a 1-0 defeat from Espanyol, but now there are only one point in front of Atletico and four ahead of Barcelona.
