Real Madrid are without EIGHT first team players for their Champions League clash with Napoli – as Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr and Eduardo Camavinga join the LaLiga leaders’ long injury list
- Real Madrid can claim top spot in their Champions League group with a draw
- Los Blancos will be without several first team regulars for remainder of the year
- Big Ange on connecting with his players and why he doesn’t do small talk – It’s All Kicking Off hosts Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman spoke exclusively to Spurs boss
Real Madrid’s bid to secure top spot in their Champions League group has been dealt a blow amid a long injury list.
The LaLiga leaders need just a point against Napoli on Wednesday night to finish as winners of Group C and ensure a match-up with a second place side in the Round of 16.
But Carlo Ancelotti will have to do so without a host of his first team regulars including Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Los Blancos will also be without long-term absentees Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois and Arda Guler.
The injury crisis is yet to affect on-field results as Madrid sit atop the Spanish top-flight, ahead of Girona on goal difference.
Vinicius Jr is not expected to play again until February after picking up a hamstring injury
Eduardo Camavinga sustained a knee ligament injury during training with France on international duty last week
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Carlo Ancelotti has several selection headaches with the long injury list at the LaLiga leaders
That has in-part been down to the continued brilliance of Jude Bellingham, who himself returned from a spell on sidelines to score his 11th league goal in their 3-0 weekend victory against Cadiz.
However, as the season reaches it’s most intense period, Ancelotti will be concerned by how thin his depleted squad will be stretched.
Madrid are also unlikely to get the likes of Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni back until the new year.
The Brazilian picked up a thing injury while on international duty that is expected to keep him out for two and a half months.
Camavinga suffered a torn knee ligament during training with the France national team earlier this month. Meanwhile, his countryman Tchouameni is recovering from a fractured foot sustained in Madrid’s 2-1 Clasico win in October.
Kepa, who picked up a muscular injury while warming up ahead of Madrid’s Champions League matchday four game against Braga, could be back shortly.
Modric could also be available for their next league outing against Granada on Saturday after suffering a thigh strain in last weekend’s win.
Madrid welcome a Napoli outfit who secured an impressive victory in their first game under new manager Walter Mazzarri following the sacking of Rudi Garcia.
The Serie A champions will join Madrid in the next round if they can avoid defeat at the Bernabeu.
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