Real Madrid suffer latest injury blow ahead of Man City Champions League clash

Real Madrid have suffered another injury blow ahead of their Champions League play-off first leg against Manchester City on Tuesday.

Real ensured they remained top of La Liga with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

However, it wasn’t all good news for Carlo Ancelotti’s side on the night, with full-back Lucas Vasquez forced to make way in the final ten minutes with an injury.

Further assessments have now revealed a hamstring injury which will see the 33-year-old ruled out of Tuesday’s first leg at the Etihad Stadium.

‘Following tests carried out on Lucas Vazquez today by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left hamstring meaning he will not be in the squad to travel to Manchester,’ a statement from the club read.

Vazquez has normally plied his trade on the wing but has been filling in at right-back following the season-ending injury picked up by Dani Carvajal in October.

Federico Valverde could deputise at right-back in midweek but the latest injury worsens Real’s defensive crisis, with Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba all also currently unavailable.

Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni partnered 21-year-old Raul Asencio in central defence on Saturday and the two could continue there against City.

Pep Guardiola’s side, meanwhile, welcomed back Ruben Dias on the weekend after his three-game absence with an adductor problem.

The Portuguese centre half played the first half against Leyton Orient as City came from behind to avoid a shock defeat against the League One opposition.

City remain without Nathan Ake and Jeremy Doku, while Oscar Bobb and Rodri are also unavailable due to longer-term injuries.

Both sides met in the quarter-finals of last year’s Champions League, with Real progressing on penalties after an absorbing two-legged contest.

But after disappointing league phases, the last two winners of the competition will have to come through the play-offs to book their spot in the last 16.

The winner will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.

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