Real Madrid Injury Crisis: Carreras and Mbappe Sidelined Ahead of Man City Clash

Real Madrid faces a significant injury crisis as they prepare for their high-stakes Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City this Wednesday. The club confirmed on Monday that defender Alvaro Carreras has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in his right calf. While the club did not provide a specific recovery timeline, the injury officially rules him out of the upcoming leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Adding to the tension is the status of superstar forward Kylian Mbappe, who was absent from the team’s collective training session on Monday. Mbappe has been struggling with a persistent knee sprain since last December and has missed Madrid’s last three competitive fixtures. The French captain recently traveled to Paris for specialist tests and treatment, and while he is currently undergoing individual recovery, he is unlikely to feature in Wednesday’s match. Reports suggest he is now targeting a return for the second-leg fixture next week.

The timing of these injuries is particularly difficult for manager Carlo Ancelotti, as the squad is already stretched thin. Key players including Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, and David Alaba are all currently in various stages of injury recovery. Facing a Manchester City side led by Pep Guardiola with such a depleted roster presents a massive tactical challenge for the Spanish giants.