Real Madrid fear five key players being involved in play-offs
Cristiano, Bale, Modric, Kovacic and Varane are potential absentees with Croatia and Wales facing possible elimination with defeat against Ukraine and Ireland respectively.
MadridUpdate:
![Football Soccer - Portugal training session - World Cup 2018 Qualifiers - Oeiras, Portugal - October 9, 2017 - Portugal's national soccer team player Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session.](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/GY3KQQZ32JMDPE4ONDVK73BOYQ.jpg?auth=e0b4b435c16c622b8cbdd65146f0c525f3b6194197ca9f86ddda89a61f098a72&width=360&height=203&smart=true)
Real Madrid are following developments in the UEFA zone World Cup qualifying campaign with close interest given that five key players could potentially be involved in a play-off to secure a final ticket for Russia 2018.
![Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Croatia vs Finland - Stadion Gradski vrt, Osijek, Croatia - October 6, 2017 Croatia's Luka Modric looks dejected after the match](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/S2JARMXEERL2BNWE6UKZUHPHJU.jpg?auth=8f1717d181c398c6ea1ed5097fcb42ee52ba0b0f616299acfd65947f0161b2f3&width=360)
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The affected players are: Cristiano (Portugal), Bale (Wales), Modric, Kovacic (Croatia) and Varane (France) with the latest round of fixtures key in establishing who has a ticket to Russia and what sides will have to undergo a home and away play-off in November with a Madrid derby looming for Zidane's men just days after the second leg.
The UEFA play-off dates are scheduled with first legs taking place on and between November 9-11 with the return fixtures being played on November 12-14 (inclusive).
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