Raphael Varane will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday night due to injury.
The 27-year-old has picked up an abductor injury which will see him miss the second-leg of the semi-final.
Real held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in Madrid last week after Karim Benzema cancelled out Christian Pulisic’s opener.
What have Real Madrid said?
Madrid released a statement which read: “After the tests carried out today on our player Raphael Varane by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he was diagnosed with an injury to the right abductor muscles.”
Advertisement
Who is likely to play in his place?
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos could replace Varane having recovered from a calf injury but he has not played a game since mid-March.
Coach Zinedine Zidane said on Saturday: “I hope Ramos is back. If he's good, he'll be with us.”
Eder Militao and Nacho lined up alongside Varane in last week’s semi-final tie.
Militao scored in Madrid’s 2-0 win against Osasuna on Saturday and Zidane was pleased with his progress: “I’m happy for Militao, when he wasn’t playing he was calm, he worked hard and waited for his opportunity. He is doing very well.”
How much of a blow is this to Real?
It’s a huge blow to Real.
Madrid will now be desperate to have Ramos fit ahead of a tough test at Stamford Bridge.
Varane is an experienced defender at the heart of Madrid’s defence. To be without him, and potentially Ramos, presents a major opportunity for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
(Photo: Gonzalo Arroyo – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)