Real Madrid summer signing a doubt for Champions League clash against Inter Milan | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid could be without key defender Marc Cucurella for Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan.

The Spanish left-back was forced off late in the defeat to Real Betis with muscle discomfort.

The injury is not believed to be serious, but the timing leaves the World Cup winner facing a race against the clock to be fit for one of the most important matches of the early season.

Cucurella suffers late setback

Cucurella has seemingly established himself as Jose Mourinho’s preferred option at left-back and appears to have moved ahead of Alvaro Carreras in the pecking order.

However, the former Chelsea defender was unable to finish Saturday’s match against Betis after suffering cramps in the closing stages.

The problem is not currently considered serious, although there is concern over whether he will recover quickly enough to feature against the Nerazzurri at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cucurella took a knock against Betis. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

With the players being given the day off today, Real Madrid will return to training on Sunday, when Cucurella’s condition will be assessed more thoroughly.

Growing list of absentees

Cucurella could join an increasingly long list of players unavailable to Mourinho for the Champions League fixture.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick are among the players currently dealing with injuries, although there is still a possibility that Tchouameni or Endrick could recover in time.

Mourinho must also contend with suspensions as Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga are unavailable for the Champions League opener

The growing list of absences leaves Real Madrid with limited room for manoeuvre as they prepare for their first Champions League match of the campaign.

A doubt for Inter Milan clash. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The timing could hardly be worse for Mourinho. Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season against Real Betis, meaning Tuesday’s meeting with Inter has taken on even greater significance.

Inter Milan arrive in Madrid as Italian champions, making the Champions League opener a major test for Mourinho’s side.

The next few days will determine whether Cucurella can recover in time. If he fails to make it, Mourinho will have another selection problem to solve as Real Madrid look to respond immediately to their first setback of the season.