The upcoming UEFA Champions League showdown between Real Madrid and Manchester City is set to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu, but the highly anticipated fixture will be shaped significantly by a lengthy injury list on both sides.
As the two European giants prepare for the first leg of their Round of 16 encounter in the UEFA Champions League, a total of ten notable players are expected to miss the match.
Both squads are dealing with fitness concerns that have disrupted preparations ahead of Wednesday night’s contest.
The absence of several influential figures could force tactical adjustments from both managers, while also giving opportunities to other members of the squads to step into crucial roles.
Injury concerns hit Real Madrid preparations
Real Madrid’s final training session before the game took place on Tuesday morning at Valdebebas, but the session highlighted the scale of the club’s injury challenges.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa was unable to call upon seven members of his squad as preparations reached their final stage before the Champions League tie.
Journalists present at the training complex reportedly focused heavily on updates regarding injured players, as speculation surrounding the fitness of key stars continued to dominate discussions ahead of the match.
Reports indicate that several high-profile names were missing from the training session.
Among those unavailable were Eder Militao, David Alaba, Alvaro Carreras, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo.
The absence of such a large group represents a major concern for the Spanish side, particularly given the influence some of those players have had throughout the season.
Two of the most notable absentees are Mbappe and Bellingham. Mbappe is currently dealing with a knee issue, while Bellingham is sidelined due to a hamstring problem.
Their absence is especially significant when considering their attacking output this season. Together, the pair have contributed a combined total of 42 goals and assists for Real Madrid across competitions.
Without those two attacking stars, the responsibility of leading the team’s offensive efforts is likely to fall on other players.
Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr are expected to carry much of the attacking burden, with both players capable of producing moments of brilliance in high-pressure matches.
Defensively, Real Madrid may also need to rely heavily on Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni to provide stability at the back.
Their primary challenge will be containing Manchester City’s dangerous forward line, particularly Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who remains one of the most prolific goal scorers in European football.
Manchester City also dealing with key absences
While Real Madrid face a lengthy list of unavailable players, Manchester City will also travel to Spain without several important squad members. Pep Guardiola’s side has three confirmed absentees heading into the first leg.
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Rico Lewis, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are all expected to miss the match due to injury problems. Kovacic, who has been recovering from a long-term injury, has not yet regained full match fitness and therefore will not be ready for this high-intensity European encounter.
Meanwhile, Lewis and Gvardiol are also currently sidelined with injuries, leaving Guardiola with fewer defensive options for the trip to Madrid.
Their absence could require adjustments to City’s back line as the Sky Blues attempt to secure a positive result away from home.
Despite these setbacks, Manchester City still possess a deep squad with several players capable of stepping into key roles.
Guardiola’s tactical flexibility has often allowed his side to adapt when injuries strike, and the team will likely approach the match with confidence following previous encounters between the two clubs.
