Real Madrid's injury crisis deepens as Marcelo is out for three weeks

Real Madrid’s injury crisis deepens as calf strain rules Marcelo out for three weeks leaving Zinedine Zidane with SIX defenders on the treatment table

  • Marcelo will be out for around three weeks after he suffered a calf injury
  • The left-back hobbled off during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win against Getafe
  • He will now miss the Champions League last-16 first leg against Atalanta 
  • It means Zinedine Zidane has nine players injured – six of them are defenders

Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has been ruled out for around three weeks with a calf injury, leaving Zinedine Zidane’s side with six injured defenders including four full-backs.

Marcelo got a rare start in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at home to Getafe which took Real second in the standings and within five points of leaders Atletico Madrid. He produced one of his best performances before hobbling off late in the game.

A statement from Real said the Brazilian had injured his calf without stating how long he would be out for, although Spanish media reports say he will be out for around three weeks.

Marcelo is out for around three weeks with a calf injury after hobbling off against Getafe

It leaves Zinedine Zidane with a selection headache with six defenders ruled out through injury

That rules him out of Real’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Atalanta on February 24 plus their next three LaLiga fixtures at home to Valencia, away to Real Valladolid and at home to Real Sociedad.

Marcelo’s injury comes at the worst possible time for Madrid, with Zidane only able to name 12 first-team players in his matchday squad for the win against Getafe.

Los Blancos currently have nine senior players out through injury, and Marcelo joins Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, Rodrygo Goes, Fede Valverde, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez on the treatment table.

That meant 19-year-old former Tranmere youngster Marvin Park started at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium on Tuesday, while youth players Sergio Arribas and Victor Chust were also summoned from the bench.

Sergio Ramos (right) and Lucas Vazquez (left) are two of nine senior players out through injury

Marcelo thrived in a free role on the left-hand side of midfield having been handed the captain’s armband, making probing runs and providing the cross for Ferland Mendy’s goal.

The Brazilian has endured a torrid season aside from his performance against Getafe, with Spanish reports highlighting how Los Blancos are more likely to lose with him at left-back rather than Mendy. 

Tuesday’s game was his first start since Madrid’s humiliating Copa del Rey exit to semi-professional third tier side Alcoyano, and he has only played in eight of their 22 league matches. 

But Madrid fans will be disappointed to see the third most experienced player at the club injured just as he looked to be back to his best in Zidane’s new-look formation.




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