Real Madrid News
Two Real Madrid stars doubtful for cup semi-final vs Barcelona due to injury – report
There are few negatives to take away from Real Madrid’s rampant 5-2 win over Liverpool on Tuesday night. Los Blancos made Anfield their own, with several fans even applauding the likes of Karim Benzema and Luka Modric for their mesmerising football.
However, there were certain parts of the storyline that Carlo Ancelotti would have liked to do without. During the game, both David Alaba and Rodrygo Goes were taken off for injuries and are expected to miss the upcoming games.
According to reports from SPORT, both players are doubts for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona early next month.
The development comes as a big blow to the manager’s plans, given that both players are regular starters on their day. While Alaba’s leadership is invaluable in Ancelotti’s setup, the same can be said about Rodrygo’s ability to come up clutch.
The Austrian defender made way for Nacho Fernandez in just the 27th minute of the game after feeling a sharp pain in his right hamstring. Meanwhile, the Brazilian star played most of the game but hobbled off in the 81st minute with an overload on his left gluteus.
An official update of the players’ layoff could be provided by the club later in the day after the tests are complete. But, as things stand, they are deemed doubts for the Barça clash, which would mean that they could miss the derby against Atletico Madrid this week as well.
Real Madrid take on Barcelona on March 2nd in the first leg of the Cup semi-final. It will be the first of three Clasicos that are scheduled to be played within a 45-day window.
Having lost to the Catalans in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, Los Blancos will be more determined than ever to make the Copa de Rey title theirs.
The Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the first time in a fortnight as Real Madrid are set to host relegation-threatened Real Valladolid for gameweek 27 of La Liga. The gap between them and Barcelona was increased to 15 yesternight, and los blancos will be looking to cut it down to 12 to scarce the tiniest bit of hope of defending their league crown.
Carlo Ancelotti has opted to use a highly attacking starting lineup for the clash, with Karim Benzema spearheading the front-three. He is flanked by Marco Asensio on the right while Vinicius Jr retains his place on the left.
Rodrygo also gets the nod to start, probably as an attacking midfielder in what looks like a 4-2-3-1.
Aurelien Tchouameni has been given the nod in midfield, with Toni Kroos forming the double pivot alongside him.
With Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Nacho out injured, Eduardo Camavinga gets the license to start as the left-back, while Lucas Vazquez flanks the defence from the right. The usual suspects — Eder Militao and David Alaba — start in central defence.
Thibaut Courtois was a doubt heading into this game, but has been given the medical greenlight to take his place as the goalkeeper.
Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Benzema
