Real Madrid has had many injuries this season, with their players being injured 36 times, 28 of which were muscle injuries. These injuries have greatly affected Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in several matches.
As Real Madrid prepares for a huge match against Manchester City in the 2025 Champions League Round of 16, Ancelotti mentioned before the first leg that his team is in an “emergency” due to all the injuries since the start of the year.
Because of these injuries, Ancelotti will need to change the positions of several players to cover the gaps. This is made worse by the fact that Florentino Perez’s administration chose not to sign any new players in the winter, even though there was an urgent need, especially for defensive players.
This report explains which players Real Madrid will be missing in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City and provides further details about their injury situation.
What are Real Madrid’s absences in the Manchester City match in the Champions League 2025?
Real Madrid will miss Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal. Militao suffered a cruciate ligament tear in October, and Carvajal was injured in November. Neither player is expected to return until next season.
Antonio Rudiger added to Real’s worries after leaving the match against Espanyol with a knee injury. He will be out for at least three weeks, which raises doubts about his availability for the second leg against City.
David Alaba, who had just returned from injury, hurt his adductor muscle in his left leg and will be out for two to three weeks.
Lucas Vazquez is the latest player to be injured, suffering a muscle injury in the match against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
Real Madrid Injuries 2025
- Dani Carvajal
- Eder Militao
- Antonio Rudiger
- David Alaba
- Lucas Vazquez
What is Real Madrid’s squad for the 2025 Champions League match against Manchester City?
Carlo Ancelotti has announced the squad for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, which will be held at the Etihad Stadium. Ancelotti had to include several young players, like centre-back Jacopo and right-back Lorenzo. He has also kept striker Gonzalo in the squad, after including him in the last two matches.
Real Madrid squad for Manchester City match
- Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois – Andriy Lunin – Sergio Mestre
- Defenders: Jesus Vallejo – Ferran Garcia – Ferland Mendy – Jacobo – Raul Asensio – Lorenzo
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham – Eduardo Camavinga – Fede Valverde – Luka Modric – Aurelien Tchouameni – Arda Guler – Dani Ceballos – Chima
- Forwards: Vinicius Junior – Kylian Mbappé – Rodrygo – Brahim Diaz – Gonzalo
Expected Real Madrid lineup against Manchester City
Carlo Ancelotti plans to use Fede Valverde as a right-back instead of the injured Vazquez. This will also affect the midfield, where Luka Modric will start alongside Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga.
In central defence, Raul Asensio will play alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ferland Mendy will play as left-back.
Ancelotti’s attacking trio will remain the same, with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo starting. Brahim Diaz will likely be used as a substitute.
Real Madrid vs Man City Champions League 2025 Date
The first leg of the Real Madrid vs Manchester City Champions League Round of 16 play-off will be played on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
