Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has a selection headache for the Club World Cup semifinal with Egypt’s Al Ahly on Wednesday as he will be missing several key players due to injury.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, forward Karim Benzema and defenders Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy will not make the trip to Morocco on Monday but the first three may be available for a possible final on Saturday if Madrid advance.
Vazquez and Mendy have been out for several games with long-term injuries but Benzema and Militao, who were substituted with leg injuries in Madrid’s LaLiga win against Valencia on Thursday, are not expected to be sidelined for too long.
Courtois, who suffered a groin injury during the warm-up for Sunday’s surprise defeat at Mallorca, does not have a long-term problem according to medical examinations on Monday.
Courtois, Benzema and Militao will stay in Madrid for treatment but could join their teammates in Rabat later in the week if their treatment goes as planned.
Los Blancos are struggling lately, having won only one of their last three LaLiga matches, allowing Barcelona to extend their lead at the top of the standings to eight points.
Despite all the injuries and a packed schedule over the next few weeks, with the Club World Cup quickly followed by a Champions League clash with Liverpool and Copa del Rey showdown against Barcelona as well as LaLiga matches, coach Carlo Ancelotti said they would go for glory on all fronts.
However, the Italian did urge the authorities to look at fixture scheduling in the future for the sake of player welfare. (ESPN)