Real Madrid will face one of its greatest challenges in recent Champions League history with a severely depleted squad. For the crucial round of 16 clash against Manchester City, the team managed by Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed a total of six major absences, forcing the Italian coach to improvise a competitive starting eleven against the reigning champion.
A Defense and Attack in Check
The most painful absences are concentrated in the backbone of the team. The defensive line loses Éder Militão, who is suffering from a ligament rupture, and David Alaba, out due to muscle discomfort. In attack, the situation is critical: Rodrygo is also out with a ligament rupture, while star Kylian Mbappé has not recovered from his knee sprain.
Problems in Creation
The midfield is not spared from misfortune. Jude Bellingham will be out due to hamstring discomfort, depriving Madrid of his presence in the box, while Dani Ceballos completes the list with a soleus injury. Given this scenario, the Santiago Bernabéu will have to rely on epic spirit to make up for the absence of its star players.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.