There is a growing ‘pessimism’ at Real Madrid that midfielder Casemiro will miss the Champions League semi-final clash with Manchester City.
That’s according to EFE, relayed by Mundo Deportivo, who say the Brazilian is ‘unlikely’ to recover from an injury picked up in training on Monday.
Manchester City are set to host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Etihad on Tuesday next week, with the second leg scheduled for the 4th May.
Both sides will be keen to ensure they have a full compliment of players available to them for the game, but Real Madrid are sweating on key man Casemiro.
Mundo explain that he ‘suffered a muscular problem’ in the back of his left thigh during training on Monday and now only has four days to recover for the clash with City.
It’s felt that will be ‘difficult’ for him to do, according to sources at the club who have been contacted by EFE.
The Brazilian returned to training in the gym on Friday but is unlikely to make the game and would be an ‘important casualty’ for Carlo Ancelotti, who has used him in 89.5% of the minutes between La Liga and the Champions League.
The big issue is there is no direct replacement for him in the squad, with Eduardo Camavinga a different type of player and Toni Kroos not suited to that role either.
Real Madrid are also sweating on the fitness of David Alaba, who is set for an MRI scan on a discomfort in his right adductor tomorrow after that was postponed.
His chances of making the first-leg clash with Manchester City at the Etihad will then be assessed, with Madrid facing the prospect of losing two key players for one of the biggest games of their season.
