German defender Antonio Rudiger picked up a worrying injury in the first half of Real Madrid’s match against Espanyol at the Cornella El Prat stadium. He went down holding the back of his right thigh, which clearly showed he had muscle pain.
Real Madrid lost to Espanyol by one goal to nil, but this defeat did not change their position at the top of La Liga. The team stayed in first place despite the setback.
However, the match’s impact was not just about the result. Rudiger’s injury is a big concern for Madrid as they prepare for important games. The Madrid derby is coming up next week in La Liga, followed by a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City.
The strong defender could not continue playing, so he asked to be substituted and went straight to the locker room with the medical staff. They will check his condition closely in the next few hours.
What is Rudiger’s injury?
The Catalan newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” reported that first tests suggest Rudiger may have a muscle tear in the tendons of his right knee. If confirmed, he could miss the next few games.
Rudiger will go through detailed medical tests over the next two days. These tests will confirm how serious the injury is and how long he will be out for Real Madrid’s upcoming matches.
What is Rudiger’s position on the Madrid derby and the City summit in the Champions League?
According to the Catalan newspaper, Rudiger’s status for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Saturday, 8 February, remains uncertain. His chances of playing are very low because there is not enough time for him to recover.
However, there is a higher chance that he could return for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Manchester City. That match is set to take place on 11 February at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
If Rudiger is ruled out of the derby, Carlo Ancelotti will have a big decision to make in defence. He may turn to David Alaba, who has just returned from a long injury, or stick with Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asensio. This pair played at the back after Rudiger left the field against Espanyol.
For now, everyone at Madrid is waiting for the medical results to know whether Rudiger will be ready for these key matches. The fans are eager to see if he can recover in time for these crucial games.
