UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Real Madrid’s Rudiger a major injury doubt for Man City clash

UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Real Madrid’s Rudiger a major injury doubt for Man City clash

Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger is a major injury doubt for the titleholders’ Champions League clash with Manchester City.

The German international suffered a right thigh injury and limped off in the first half of Real’s 1-0 La Liga defeat to Espanyol on Saturday.

“Following tests carried out by Real Madrid’s medical service Antonio Rudiger has been diagnosed with a muscle tear in his right leg,” the club revealed on Sunday.

According to Spanish media reports the player is set to be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks, ruling him out of next week’s La Liga game against Atletico Madrid, and the first leg of Real’s Champions League play-off with City on February 11.

Rudiger’s absence if confirmed will be a major blow to Carlo Ancelotti, who is already having to cope with the season-long absences of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

Pep Guardiola’s City hosts Real in the first leg with the return in Madrid on February 19.