Sports Mole rounds up all of Real Madrid’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg with RB Leipzig.
Following a two-month Champions League hiatus, Real Madrid continue their quest for a record-extending 15th top European honour on Tuesday, travelling to Germany for the first leg of their last-16 affair with RB Leipzig.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s men ended Group C with an unblemished record of 18 points from a possible 18 against Napoli, Union Berlin and Braga to sail through to the knockout rounds; only reigning champions Manchester City also claimed six wins from six.
Los Blancos also extended their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to five points on Saturday evening, proving far too strong for closest challengers Girona in a 4-0 Bernabeu battering.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Real Madrid’s injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Leipzig, who were runners-up in Group G behind Man City.
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: February 13 (vs. Leipzig)
After becoming the first Real Madrid midfielder to net 20 goals in a single campaign by scoring a brace over the weekend, Jude Bellingham left the field against Girona before the hour mark owing to a sprained ankle. Speaking in his post-game press conference, Ancelotti expressed hope that the Englishman would be better for Tuesday, but his availability will remain clouded in uncertainty for the next couple of days.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Eder Militao represents the first of three ACL victims in the Real Madrid infirmary, and the Brazilian is still months away from being seen in a Blancos jersey again.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Similarly, first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sustained a devastating ACL issue over the summer, and as is the case with Militao, the Belgian remains a long way away from regaining full fitness.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
The third and final member of the Real Madrid defensive setup nursing an ACL injury, David Alaba suffered his problem just before Christmas, meaning that he will miss the remainder of Real’s La Liga and Champions League campaigns.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: February 18 (vs. Rayo Vallecano)
Antonio Rudiger failed to recover from the thigh issue he sustained against Getafe in time for the meeting with Girona, and Ancelotti has also ruled the German defender out of Tuesday’s match.
Nacho
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: February 13 (vs. RB Leipzig)
Real were without any recognised central defenders against Girona as captain Nacho Fernandez missed out with a thigh injury, but Ancelotti has confirmed that the Spaniard should be fine to make his comeback in midweek.
REAL MADRID’S SUSPENSION LIST
Real Madrid have no players suspended for this match, although Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga are one booking away from a continental suspension.
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