Lucas Vazquez has develop into the most recent damage setback for Real Madrid forward of dealing with Liverpool within the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, leaving coach Zinedine Zidane with few choices at proper again. His absence compounds the issues for a Madrid protection already with out central defenders Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Eden Hazard additionally wasn’t included within the listing for Wednesday’s match, when Madrid will attempt to defend a 3-1 win from the primary leg and return to the semifinals for the primary time because it received the ultimate in opposition to Liverpool in 2018.
Vazquez had to get replaced close to halftime within the workforce’s 2-1 win over Barcelona on Saturday within the final clásico of the season within the Spanish league. The membership mentioned exams on Monday confirmed that the versatile Spanish participant has a sprained essential ligament on his left knee.
Madrid didn’t say how lengthy Vazquez is predicted to be sidelined however it’s unlikely he’ll play once more this season. The damage occurred after he and Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets collided as they each slid to attempt to attain a ball close to midfield.
Vazquez had been key for Madrid not too long ago whereas enjoying proper again as a alternative for Dani Carvajal, who stays injured and in addition received’t make the journey to England. Álvaro Odriozola can also be a proper again and he changed Vazquez within the clásico, however he has been marred by accidents this season and has solely performed in just a few video games this 12 months.
Zidane up to now improvised with Nacho Fernández for granted again, however he’ll possible be wanted as a central defender once more to play alongside Éder Militão as a result of of the absences of common starters Ramos, who’s injured, and Varane, who’s recovering from the coronavirus.
Midfielder Federico Valverde additionally left the sport in opposition to Barcelona as a result of of a bodily downside however he was included within the squad for the match in Liverpool. Hazard has been working towards along with his teammates however nonetheless isn’t totally match to play.
“We’ve reached the limit physically,” Zidane mentioned after the clásico.
The damage for the 29-year-old Vazquez, who has performed most of his profession with Madrid, comes simply as his contract with the membership is ready to expire this season. He arrange Karim Benzema’s opening objective in opposition to Barcelona on Saturday.
Madrid has received six video games in a row in all competitions and is unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches. But the defending Spanish league champions path chief Atlético Madrid by one level with eight matches to go.
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