Real Madrid full-back ‘practically ruled out’ of Manchester City clash – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid will face off against Manchester City next week in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Merengues go into the game with a narrow advantage, having secured a 3-2 win in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium and will be aiming to get the job done.

No Lucas Vazquez vs Manchester City

However, Real Madrid will likely have to make do without one of their regulars for the game in veteran full-back Lucas Vazquez.

Indeed, according to AS, the Spanish defender is ‘practically ruled out’ of the game against Manchester City as he is yet to sufficiently recover from his injury.

Lucas Vazquez set to miss Man City clash. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had stated earlier this week that he expected David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Vazquez to resume training on Monday and be available for the Champions League clash.

Of the three, Alaba has already recovered and started training today while there is hope that Rudiger will also be available.

However, as for Vazquez, the veteran Spaniard is not expected to recover in time to face the Premier League champions on Wednesday night at the Bernabeu.

“He’s out of the equation,” it is said internally about the 33-year-old right-back.

Vazquez has been dealing with a muscle issue for some time now and was withdrawn from the squad list for the first-leg tie against Manchester City after initially being included.

With his absence for Wednesday’s clash almost confirmed, it appears that Federico Valverde will start as Real Madrid’s right-back once again.