Out of the game
Competing during a global pandemic has many drawbacks, and losing a key player due to a positive test the morning of a vital match is certainly one of them.
Discover our latest podcast
Sadly, French defender Raphaël Varane has experienced this fate and has been ruled out to play Liverpool in the first leg of the quarter final tie in the Champions League.
Lacking options in the back
The 27-year-old World Cup winner was expected to be one of the main figures in tonight’s match, as Madrid’s other star center back and captain, Sergio Ramos, had already been ruled out through injury.
In anticipation of the Liverpool match, Real manager Zinedine Zidane rested Varane for their league game against Eibar on Saturday.
Varane has made the most appearances out of any center back this campaign, playing in 36 games.
This leaves Nacho and Éder Militão as the only two fit replacements. Between them, they have only played in 29 games this season.
Real Madrid currently sit third in the La Liga table. They have to play Barcelona in the El Clasico on Saturday and then Liverpool again on Wednesday next week, with Varane certain to miss out.
