Injury Blow to Real Madrid

Ahead of Thursday’s second leg clash in the Champions League against Liverpool, Real Madrid have been dealt with another injury blow. 29-year old right back / winger Lucas Vazquez is set to miss the remainder of the 2020/2021 season, after suffering a knee injury during a La Liga game. Vazquez started in the right-back position for Real in the Liverpool game, filling in for the injured Dani Carvajal. Alvaro Odriozola is likely to feature in his place on Thursday.

This adds to Real’s lineup woes, who are already missing first-choice center-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane to injury and COVID-19 respectively.

Coach Zinedine Zidane did not sound hopeful, despite having just won their La Liga clash against Barcelona, saying, “It doesn’t change anything, there’s still a long way to go”.

“We have to rest after today. It’s been two gruelling games. Now we have to rest.

“I don’t know how we’re going to finish the season. Physically, we’re at our limit.”

Real currently lead the Champions League tie on an aggregate of 3-1. Liverpool bagged an away goal but were unable to subdue Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio, and win the game.

While this could be seen as an opportunity for Liverpool to capitalize on facing a weakened Real side, the Reds’ own ruthless edge has failed to emerge in key moments this season owing to our own ongoing issues.