Real Madrid is facing significant challenges ahead of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City, compounded by recent league defeats and multiple player absences. The team suffered a 1-0 loss to Getafe, falling four points behind Barcelona in LaLiga, while suspensions and injuries threaten their squad depth. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa emphasized the need to avoid such setbacks as preparations intensify for the first leg on March 11.
Real Madrid's preparations for their Champions League last-16 showdown with Manchester City have been hampered by a triple suspension blow and ongoing injury concerns. The first leg is set for Wednesday, March 11, at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking the fifth consecutive season the teams meet in the knockout phase. As the seeded team, Manchester City will host the second leg.
The suspensions stem from a 1-0 home defeat to Getafe on Monday night, Real Madrid's second successive LaLiga loss following a prior defeat to Osasuna. This result has left Los Blancos four points adrift of leaders Barcelona, with 12 games remaining in the title race. Franco Mastantuono received a straight red card in second-half stoppage time for comments to the referee, while Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras accumulated their fifth yellow cards of the season. The trio will miss the upcoming match against Celta Vigo at the Estadio de Balaidos.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa addressed the issue post-match, stating: “These are things that shouldn’t happen, like Mastantuono’s. I don’t know exactly what he said to the referee, but if he was sent off, it must have been for a reason. We can’t have these kinds of actions. I understand that both Huijsen and Carreras’ yellow cards are part of the game, but they will leave us with three important absences for the match in Balaidos. I don’t think they were intentional by the players.” Arbeloa insisted the LaLiga title race is not over, noting a May clash with Barcelona offers a chance to close the gap.
Injuries add to the woes. Kylian Mbappe is dealing with a left knee sprain, confirmed by club medical services after tests by French specialists: “Following the tests conducted on our player Kylian Mbappe by French specialist doctors, under the supervision of Real Madrid's Medical Services, the diagnosis of a sprain in the left knee and the suitability of the conservative treatment being followed are confirmed. Pending evolution.” He could miss both legs against City. Jude Bellingham is sidelined with a hamstring injury, expected to return after the March international break.
Reports indicate additional absences, including Éder Militão and Rodrygo with ligament ruptures, David Alaba with muscle discomfort, and Dani Ceballos with a soleus injury, though these await full confirmation. In the dressing room, sentiment leans toward prioritizing the Champions League, with one heavyweight reportedly saying, ‘We’ve only got the Champions League left,’ according to Cadena SER. Tensions are high, with commentator Edu Aguirre noting a 'thin-skinned' atmosphere where senior players' demands can spark arguments, amid leadership transitions following departures of key veterans like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
