By Betsefy
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has named his squad for Wednesday’s Champions League contest with RB Leipzig at Bernabeu.
As expected, Karim Benzema and Eder Militao are both missing due to the problems that they picked up against Celtic in the European Cup last week, while Lucas Vazquez is also sidelined.
Vazquez picked up a thigh problem during the 4-1 win over Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday, with Real Madrid revealing that the Spaniard is now set for a spell on the sidelines.
“Following tests carried out on our player Lucas Vazquez by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the gracilis muscle of the right thigh. His recovery will continue to be assessed,” the Spanish champions said in a statement.
Los Blancos have been handed a boost, though, with Alvaro Odriozola fit enough to be named in the squad, having been unavailable for selection of late due to a muscular issue.
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While Vazquez has also been ruled out of this weekend’s Madrid derby, Real Madrid are hopeful that both Militao and Benzema will be available for the clash with Atletico Madrid.
Militao took part in a section of the main training session on Tuesday, fuelling suggestions that he was winning his battle to be fit for the game with Diego Simeone‘s side.
Benzema again trained inside on Tuesday, but Los Blancos boss Ancelotti remains hopeful that the France international could be fit for the derby this weekend.
“There’s a chance, as he is evolving well. But he’ll only play if there are no concerns at all,” the Italian told reporters during his press conference ahead of the Leipzig fixture.
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Eden Hazard started at centre-forward against Mallorca, but Rodrygo is believed to be under consideration for the role on Wednesday night.
Militao’s absence means that Antonio Rudiger is set to continue alongside David Alaba in the middle of the defence, while Vazquez’s injury will open the door for Dani Carvajal to return at right-back.
In midfield, there are likely to be two changes, with Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni coming in, which would see Federico Valverde move forward to the right side of the attack.
Vinicius Junior is also a certain starter for the Spanish and European champions, with the Brazil international scoring five times and registering two assists in seven appearances in all competitions this term.
Real Madrid squad vs. Leipzig: Courtois, Lunin, Lopez; Carvajal, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger, Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Hazard, Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano
