Real Madrid facing defensive crisis ahead of Champions League clash with Man City – as another first team star suffers injury setback

Real Madrid have been dealt another major injury blow ahead of their Champions League showdown with Manchester City.

The two European giants will meet across two legs later this month after failing to qualify automatically for the last 16 of the elite club competition.

And Carlo Ancelotti is set to field a makeshift backline after losing another of his first team stars to injury.

Austrian international David Alaba limped out of training on Monday and is now expected to be sidelined for 2-3 weeks with a muscle injury in his left leg.

He is certain to miss next Tuesday’s first leg at the Etihad, and is a major doubt for the return match in Madrid on February 19.

Madrid are already without Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal after the pair suffered serious knee injuries in late 2024.

David Alaba (right) is set to miss the next 2-3 weeks after limping out of training

Pep Guardiola’s City are set to face a Madrid side without Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal

Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger also had to be replaced during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Espanyol after picking up a hamstring problem, and he is almost certain to miss both legs against City.

This leaves Ancelotti with very limited options at the heart of his defence. The experienced Italian will likely have to rely on a pairing of 21-year-old Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni to keep Erling Haaland and Co at bay.

Tchouameni is better known for operating as a holding midfielder, but has dropped into defence at times this season amid Madrid’s crisis at the back.

Madrid also have a huge derby against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, with just one point currently separating the top two in LaLiga. 

Madrid’s problems could be a welcome boost for City as they bid to eliminate the defending champions to book their place in the last 16.

City almost failed to even make it beyond the league phase of the Champions League as they needed a second-half comeback to beat Club Brugge last week.

But they slipped to a humiliating 5-1 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, and are now outside the Premier League’s top four.

Their focus is set to turn towards the Champions League as they prepare to take on a familiar foe.

Their clash with Madrid will be the fourth meeting in as many seasons between the two sides.

Madrid knocked out City in 2021-22 and last season, while City thrashed their Spanish opponents in 2022-23 before going on to win the Treble.