Jan Hoeksema
Latest update:
Carlo Ancelotti will not have Antonio Rüdiger available on Saturday evening, Real Madrid reports in the run-up to the top match against Girona. The man is struggling with a thigh injury. The news is a hard blow for Ancelotti, as Rudiger should have been the only fit center back available to the Italian coach.
“The tests carried out today (Saturday, ed.) by the medical staff of Real Madrid have identified a muscle injury in Antonio Rüdiger,” the LaLiga leader wrote on the club website. Although the exact duration of the German's absence is not stated, it is certain that Rüdiger will not be available for Saturday's match.
The tall forward stopper is yet another central defender of Real Madrid to suffer an injury. Éder Militão, normally assured of a starting spot, has been sidelined with an injury since August 2023, while David Alaba did not play after December 2023.
The other option at the heart of Ancelotti's defense is Nacho Fernández. The Spaniard, unlike Rüdiger, was still available against Atlético Madrid last Sunday (1-1), but also had to miss the match against Girona due to an injury.
Real Madrid will take on the stunt team at home at 6:30 PM. The match is under a heavy magnifying glass: the match concerns a clash between the numbers one and two of the Spanish league. If Girona manages to surprise in Madrid and pull off a victory, Daley Blind's employer will take over the lead from Real Madrid. The gap is now two points.
Blind himself will not take action. The former Ajax player received his fifth yellow card of the season after the match against Real Sociedad (0-0), because he asked referee Jesús Gil Manzano in the final phase why he did not add two extra minutes due to injury treatment. Coach Míchel is also not present for Girona against Real Madrid. He was sent off against Real Sociedad for allegedly insulting the leader.
Real Madrid will most likely start on Saturday evening with a central defensive duo consisting of Daniel Carvajal and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Both players are not originally central defenders, but have played in that position before.
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