Real Madrid face going into the Champions League playoff against Manchester City with a makeshift central defensive pairing after David Alaba suffered another injury setback.
The Austria international made his return from a 13-month absence due to a ruptured ACL last month and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had hoped to ease him back in with a view to him being available for the two-legged tie with City over the next fortnight.
But Alaba has now sustained a thigh problem that could keep him out for up to three weeks. Antonio Rudiger suffered a hamstring injury against Espanyol on Saturday – his timeline for recovery is the same as Alaba’s – while Eder Militao is out for the season.
It is awful timing for Madrid, who face going into the weekend derby with Atletico Madrid and both games against City with a makeshift defensive pairing of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and youngster Raul Asencio.
Alaba medical report.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 4, 2025
“Following tests carried out on our player David Alaba by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with an adductor muscle injury in his left leg,” a club statement read.
Five crunch games ahead
Alaba and Rudiger could miss the following games:
- Leganes (A) – Copa del Rey – February 5
- Atletico Madrid (H) – La Liga – February 8
- Manchester City (A) – Champions League – February 11
- Osasuna (A) – La Liga – February 15
- Manchester City (H) – Champions League – February 19 (doubtful)
Tchouameni and Asencio to step up
Tchouameni has had to fill in in defence several times this season while 21-year-old Asencio has made just 14 appearances for Madrid, including four in the Champions League.
Madrid face Leganes in the Copa del Rey tomorrow night but look to do so without Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr, both of whom missed training today and will be rested for the tie at the Estadio Municipal Butarque.
Ancelotti’s men are still top of La Liga despite Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Espanyol but they are now just one point ahead of Atletico and four in front of Barcelona.