Real Madrid could be missing both first-choice centre-backs against Villarreal

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane could have a selection headache on his hands for this weekend’s clash with Villarreal after both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane picked up injuries on international duty.

Ramos was injured just before half-time in Spain’s game with Germany in Seville. The initial evaluations, according to Mundo Deportivo, point to a problem in his right hamstring.

The Andalusian will undergo further testing upon his return to Madrid, where a more detailed estimate of how long he could be sidelined will be ascertained.

Varane was substituted for France at half-time of their clash with Sweden due to minor shoulder discomfort. Like Ramos, the centre-back will undergo tests upon his return to Madrid to ascertain how serious the injury is.

Beyond his first-choice pair, Zidane has more problems. Nacho has just recovered from an injury sustained in El Clasico, while Eder Militao tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to undergo two negative PCRs in order to play.

Los Blancos travel to Villarreal for a Saturday afternoon kick-off before locking horns with Inter Milan in Italy midweek. They currently sit fourth in LaLiga, four points behind league leaders Real Sociedad and ten clear of bottom-placed Huesca.

They have also been performing below-par in Europe – Madrid currently sit third in Champions League Group B, ahead of Inter but trailing Borussia Monchengladbach and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Featured image courtesy of Diario AS.

Tags La Liga Raphael Varane Real Madrid Sergio Ramos Zinedine Zidane
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