Real Madrid worried about potential relapse with key defender ready to return vs Man City | OneFootball

Real Madrid are facing a crucial decision ahead of their highly anticipated Champions League clash against Manchester City.

According to Rodra (h/t Madrid Zone), while Antonio Rudiger has been declared fit and ready to return against Manchester City, concerns remain within the club about the potential risks of bringing him straight back into the starting lineup.

The fear of aggravating his previous injury is something both the coaching staff and the medical team are carefully considering.

Ahead of the crucial tie against City, Carlo Ancelotti faces several key decisions when it comes to his starting lineup, especially with the return of both Rudiger and David Alaba from their respective injuries.

On the other hand, Lucas Vazquez will not be available for selection, ruling him out of contention for the midweek fixture. This leaves the Italian coach with some dilemmas regarding his defensive setup.

Rudiger is eager to return

Rudiger himself is eager to return to the pitch and believes he is fully prepared to compete at the highest level once again.

Antonio Rudiger is ready to face Manchester City. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The German centre-back has been training well in the days leading up to the match, and his performances in the sessions have been promising.

Ancelotti is considering deploying him from the very first minute, but the final decision will hinge on his condition in the final preparations before the game.

The primary concern remains the risk of a setback. Rudiger has been sidelined since February 1, following Real Madrid’s match against Espanyol, where he suffered a hamstring injury.

This was an additional setback in a season where he had already been dealing with persistent knee problems. After weeks of rehabilitation, the expectation within the dressing room was that he would recover just in time for this defining clash.

Real Madrid’s worry

However, there is still a level of uncertainty regarding whether he can handle the intensity of a high-stakes encounter.

Ultimately, both Ancelotti and Rudiger will have to weigh the risks and benefits before making a final call. If the German defender is deemed ready, he could provide crucial stability at the back in a game that could define Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign.

However, should there be any lingering doubts about his fitness, the club may opt for a more cautious approach to avoid further setbacks.