Antonio Rüdiger doubtful for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Man City

Real Madrid could be without Antonio Rüdiger for their crucial Champions League knockout ties against Manchester City.

According to 90min, the German defender has been diagnosed with a muscle injury.

Rüdiger limped off just 15 minutes into Madrid’s shocking 1-0 loss to Espanyol on Saturday.

Post-match, manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted concern over the severity of the injury.

“He’s had a muscle injury, they’ll have to assess it,” Ancelotti said.

A club statement on Sunday confirmed Rüdiger had suffered a biceps femoris injury in his right leg, with reports estimating a recovery period of around 20 days.

This timeline puts Rüdiger at risk of missing several key fixtures, including a Copa del Rey quarter-final against Leganés, a La Liga derby against Atlético Madrid, and the first leg of the Champions League tie at the Etihad Stadium on February 11.

Madrid are already short in defense, with Eder Militão and Dani Carvajal enduring long injury layoffs, while David Alaba has just returned from an ACL injury.

Ancelotti may have to rely on midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni in defense again or turn to academy product Raúl Asencio as cover.

The second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 19 comes just before Rüdiger’s expected return, making his availability uncertain.