Garay & Varane out of Valencia-Madrid

Real Madrid and Valencia will be without defenders Raphael Varane and Ezequiel Garay for the clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Varane was absent from Madrid’s training session on Saturday, and Marca reports the Frenchman was still struggling with a thigh problem sustained in the first leg of the Supercopa at Barcelona.

“Varane wants to play, but at the same time he has something and I don’t want to take any chances,” Coach Zinedine Zidane said at a Press conference.

“Playing him tomorrow would be a bit risky and I don’t want to. The player’s health matters more to me, so we won’t risk him.”

His no-show means Los Blancos have a crisis in central defence, with Sergio Ramos suspended and Jesus Vallejo also injured, laving Nacho Fernandez as their only fit and recognised option.

It is likely that Zidane will look to midfielders Casemiro or Marcos Llorente as Nacho’s centre-back partner.

Valencia, meanwhile, will take on Madrid without Garay, who continues to train alone with back pain.

It also comes amidst speculation that the Argentine will leave the club before September 1, with Juventus emerging as the favourites for his signature.

Tags Ezequiel Garay Raphael Varane
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