Real Madrid playmaker doutbful for Man City clash as Carlo Ancelotti confirms injury
By Tom Gott
Real Madrid have confirmed that Luka Modric has been diagnosed with a thigh injury which could rule him out of the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City.
The 37-year-old managed just over an hour of the recent 4-2 defeat to Girona before limping off and spending the rest of the game sat on the bench with ice strapped to his leg.
Real have since confirmed that Modric has suffered a muscle injury and, although they refused to put a time frame on his return, local reports have suggested it is serious enough to rule him out of some huge upcoming fixtures.
Los Blancos will face Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6, before City head to the Santiago Bernabeu three days later for the first leg of their European semi-final.
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"He has a small injury," Ancelotti confirmed in Friday's press conference. "I don't know if he will reach the cup final. We are hurt, but these things happen. I hope he recovers."
Asked who would be the best replacement for Modric, Ancelotti responded: "By characteristics, [Dani] Ceballos. But in general, we have many resources: [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Aurelien] Tchouameni... plenty of tools to replace him, although he is an irreplaceable player due to his experience in these matches."
Looking further ahead to the City game, Real are already prepared to be without star centre-back Eder Militao through suspension and Ancelotti confirmed he is expecting to lose Modric as well.
"We'll probably have to replace both of them in the Champions League first leg," Ancelotti conceded. "Militao, for sure, but hopefully not with Modric."
In some positive news for Real fans, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is understood to be progressing well from a stomach problem which could see him return imminently, while Karim Benzema is also back fit after shaking off a knock.
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