Alaba and Casemiro concerns for Madrid ahead of City UCL test
Both players will travel to Manchester with the rest of the squad and will undergo late fitness tests ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final at the Etihad.
Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid side travel to Manchester on Monday ahead of the first leg of the 2021-22 Champions League semi-final on Tuesday against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Italian coach is concerned by the fitness situation concerning two key players: Casemiro and David Alaba. The Brazilian was absent for Madrid’s trip to Pamplona last Wednesday and has rejoined sessions with the rest of the squad which leads to a guarded optimism that he will be ready to play in Manchester. During the very same game against Osasuna last week, prior to the half-time break, the Austrian defender went to ground complaining of a groin pain. Initial tests showed no muscle tear and the Tuesday night training session at the Etihad will be fundamental in determining if Alaba is fit enough to start the game.
Camavinga and Nacho on stand-by
Should the Brazilian and Austrian players be ruled out, Eduardo Camavinga and Nacho are on stand-by to step into the respective positions with the French teenager delivering a fine display at El Sadar as part of the 1-3 win over Osasuna. Nacho too is enjoying a rich vein of form with the defender on target in the recent 2-3 win away to Sevilla.