The home side will be without the services of both its CBs
Things just went from bad to worse for Real Madrid. After their captain and CB, Sergio Ramos was ruled out of the club’s Champions League engagement with Liverpool owing to an injury, his partner, Raphael Varane will also be out of action.
The massive development was broken just hours prior to the side’s quarter-final. The club released a statement on its site, one which revealed that Varane had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be unavailable for the tie.
While the club refused to comment on his availability for the second round, the Frenchman is bound to be ruled out of that clash as well. Eder Militao is bound to fill in for Varane whilst Real Madrid should opt for Nacho is Ramos’ absence.
Varane Set To Miss Showdown
“Real Madrid CF announces that our player Raphaël Varane has given a positive result in the COVID-19 test that has been carried out this morning,” read the statement from the club on Tuesday.
Massively depleted at the back, Real Madrid face a daunting task when Liverpool come calling today. Despite being touted as outright favourites for the affair, the Spanish club now faces a severe test with its two regular CBs out.
Manager Zinedine Zidane had previously spoken about the encounter and what he was expecting from the fixture.
“Liverpool are a really complete team. Their front line is really good but in general they’re a solid outfit. They play well as a team. Both sides are missing players, but that always happens in football, but strength comes from the team,” Zidane had said.
“It’s knockout football, a final, that’s going to be played over 180 minutes or more. We know what there is to come, but we’re just focused on tomorrow’s game – nothing else. It’s the most important game of the season because it’s the next one we have. We aren’t thinking about the past.”
