Real Madrid News
Real Madrid handed major boost as key Liverpool midfielder picks up hamstring injury
Carlo Ancelotti’s side take on Liverpool in the finals of the UEFA Champions League in one week’s time, and have been handed a major boost following the final matchday of the Premier League season.
According to reports from Sky Sports, the Premier League side will likely be without their midfield star Thiago Alcantara for the game in Paris.
The Spanish international started Liverpool’s final league clash against Wolves earlier but was forced off at half-time owing to an injury. The former Bayern Munich man was involved in his team’s equaliser in the first half but pulled his hamstring later in the game.
Thiago’s absence comes as a big blow to Jurgen Klopp’s side. The 31-year-old has been a regular in his side’s starting XI this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists in the process.
This would be the second final Thiago would miss for his club, having already missed the League Cup final against Chelsea in February. Surprisingly, the player missed that fixture owing to a hamstring injury too.
The club have not released any official statement about the Spaniard’s injury or how long he will be out. However, recovering from a hamstring injury in less than a week is undoubtedly a big ask.
His absence hands Real Madrid a massive boost in their pursuit of the UCL title. While the Reds still have a formidable squad, Thiago’s absence will certainly help Los Blancos control the proceedings on the night,
Real Madrid will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the 2026/27 La Liga season when they take on Elche CF at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight.
With 12 points from five games, Los Blancos are currently second in the league table, three points below leaders FC Barcelona.
As such, the Spanish capital club will be eager to get the win and close the gap to the top.
Guler starts, Bellingham rested
Ahead of kickoff, Real Madrid have announced the starting lineup that will take the field against Elche, with Jose Mourinho making some important changes.
For starters, Arda Guler is back in the lineup after appearing as a substitute in the win over Rayo Vallecano.
Interestingly, however, he starts in the attacking midfield role, with Mourinho opting to rest Jude Bellingham, who has started all of Real Madrid’s games so far.
That also means that Yan Diomande retains his place in the team, starting for a second time in a row on the right wing. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. continue in their respective positions in attack.
Another notable change sees Aurelien Tchouameni make his first start of the season after recovering from injury and making two appearances off the bench.
He replaces Bernardo Silva as Federico Valverde’s partner in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen slot in at centre-back in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 15, 2026
🆚 @ElcheCF
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Nytt Doctor
May 24, 2022 at 3:07 pm
He’s a fantastic Player but I don’t think with or without him changes the direction of Liverpool….as a Madrid fan we just have to focus on our own game…we have to play well against this Liverpool side…. let’s go… Hala Madrid 😍🔥