Real Madrid suffer massive injury blow ahead of Champions League showdown with Chelsea
Real Madrid have confirmed that defender Raphael Varane has suffered a muscular injury and will miss the return leg of the side's Champions League semi-final clash against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Chelsea host Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for the semi-final second leg after both sides played out a 1-1 first leg draw in the Spanish capital. Thomas Tuchel's men scored a crucial away goal thanks to Christian Pulisic's opening solo effort. Karim Benzema leveled the scoring just before the half-hour mark with a brilliant finish from inside the box. A calmer second half saw both sides take a goal apiece ahead of the second leg.
Real Madrid, who have had more than their fair share of injuries this campaign, confirmed that Raphael Varane has also been sidelined with an injury to his right abductor muscle. This will see him miss the Chelsea clash on Wednesday. Varane's injury comes as a blow for Los Blancos especially since Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy are also doubtful for the second leg.
Sergio Ramos to return for Real Madrid clash against Chelsea
Fortunately for Real Madrid, club captain Sergio Ramos is expected to return for the Champions League game on Wednesday. The defender has been out with injury since the last international break but has now resumed full training and is expected to feature against Chelsea. Ramos is expected to partner in-form Eder Militao in the heart of the defense, and will hopefully fill the void left by Varane.
Daniel Carvajal and Lucas Vasquez have been ruled out for the remainder of the season and hence won't be available for the Chelsea clash. Chelsea are in a much better position from an injury perspective, as Thomas Tuchel has an almost full squad to select from, with Matteo Kovacic being the only doubt for the clash.
Both Chelsea and Real Madrid enjoyed comfortable 2-0 home victories on domestic duty last weekend. The Spanish giants are still alive in the dramatic La Liga title race where they sit two points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid with four games to go. Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, is in a tight race to secure Champions League football for Chelsea next season.