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Real Madrid will be without five players for Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are expected to play before the end of the season, although both suffered ACL injuries in August and are currently unavailable for selection.
David Alaba, meanwhile, is out until next season due to an ACL injury sustained at the conclusion of last year.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti also stated on Saturday that Antonio Rudiger would miss the European fixture due to a thigh injury he sustained against Getafe earlier this month.
Rudiger will be out for at least one more match, but there is good news on the injury front for the defence, with Nacho back after missing Saturday’s 4-0 win over Girona due to a muscle ailment.
“It was the knock he received against Getafe. It bruised and produced a small tear. He did his best yesterday, but he was battling with the change of direction,” Ancelotti told reporters after the match against Girona.
“He will not play on Tuesday, but we have Nacho back. I hope he is accessible again soon.”
Real Madrid will also be losing Jude Bellingham, who suffered an ankle injury after scoring a brace against Girona.
Los Blancos to miss Bellingham in UCL Clash against RB Leipzig
Los Blancos have not provided a timetable for Bellingham’s absence, but transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano claims the midfielder will be out for at least the next two to three weeks.
Jacobo Ramon and Alvaro Carrillo profit from defensive absentees named to the team, while Mario Martin and Nico Paz can play in midfield.
“We’re pleased to be going back into the Champions League with a lead in La Liga despite the difficulties we’ve had so far with injuries,” Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday.
“We’re quite excited, but we’re up against some formidable opponents. We have to prepare for every game as we did today.”
Real Madrid has won the Champions League 14 times, with their most recent title coming in 2022, when they defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
Real Madrid roster versus RB Leipzig;
Lunin, Kepa, Fran; Carvajal, Nacho, Vazquez, F Garcia, Mendy, Carrillo, Ramon; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Guler, Martin, Paz; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, and Brahim
