Real Madrid will be without the services of five first-team players for their opening Champions League group-stage fixture against Bundesliga side Union Berlin on Wednesday night.
Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao both underwent operations on ACL injuries earlier this season, with the pair expected to be absent for the majority of the 2023-24 campaign.
Vinicius Junior is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but the Brazil international remains unavailable for selection.
Arda Guler is closing in on a return, having undergone a knee operation last month, but he is again absent for this game, while Dani Carvajal is the latest player to pick up an issue.
© Reuters
Carvajal has a muscular problem, but Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti said during Tuesday's press conference that the Spain international could still make this weekend's clash with Atletico Madrid.
Dani Ceballos made the bench against Real Sociedad at the weekend after recovering from a hamstring issue, though, while Ferland Mendy is also in the squad for the first time this season, with the Frenchman overcoming a muscular problem.
"Carvajal has an overload, we prefer not to take any risks. It's nothing serious, he'll undergo tests tomorrow and we hope he recovers soon. Carvajal can make it to the derby. The feelings are good," said Ancelotti before confirming that Lucas Vazquez would start in his place.
Ancelotti also confirmed that Luka Modric, who is currently being linked with a move away from the Spanish giants, would be in the starting side on Wednesday.
© Reuters
"Modric is fine, the personal relationship is perfect. The fact that he plays less can affect the professional relationship, but the personal relationship will always be perfect. Tomorrow he will play," he added.
"The Champions League is special for us. We want to start the group stage well and tomorrow we have the opportunity. Our opponents are well organised, solid and convincing. We will need a lot of intensity.
"The objective is to compete until the end. We can say that without too much pressure, we can do it. The objective is to get through the group stage, round of 16 and quarter-finals."
Real Madrid have won all five of their La Liga matches at the start of the 2023-24 campaign, which has left them at the top of the table with 15 points from an available 15.
Real Madrid squad vs. Union Berlin:
Lunin, Kepa, Canizares; Alaba, Nacho, Vazquez., F Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy; Tobias; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim, Gonzalo
Matt Law
