Real Madrid veteran will not return in time for Manchester City clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid pulled off a 3-2 win over Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week, and what made the result more impressive was the fact that they did so with three of their first-choice defenders missing.

After all, Eder Militao is out injured for the season while David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger both suffered setbacks in recent weeks. Both players are working hard to shorten their spell on the sidelines but will not be available this week.

Caution with Alaba

While Rudiger may make it back in time for Real Madrid’s return fixture against Manchester City, AS reveals that David Alaba will have to wait longer for his return to the field.

The Austrian star was diagnosed with an injury to the adductor muscle of his left leg days after Rudiger’s injury and was initially slated to miss two to three weeks of action.

Alaba is out with an adductor problem. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Considering that he recovered and returned to action from his ACL injury after over a year out only last month, there will undoubtedly be more caution around his fitness and when he is phased back into the lineup.

The 32-year-old, after all, made only four appearances for the club after his long spell out and his immediate injury may be a sign that he was rushed back. Ancelotti will thus look to be careful when the player is back fit.

As it stands, one can expect Alaba to be back in time either for Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Girona or Real Sociedad at the end of the month.

Until then, it will likely be Raul Asencio who continues to reserve the starting spot at centre-back, possibly even alongside Antonio Rudiger after the German returns to action.