Real Madrid’s injury woes continue to mount as defender Dani Carvajal has been added to the list of unavailable players ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Manchester City.
The news comes as a significant blow to manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is already grappling with concerns over the fitness of star forward Kylian Mbappé. The Round of 16 tie promises a high-stakes battle between two of Europe’s elite clubs, with both sides eager to gain an advantage in the first leg.
Mbappé is in a race against time to feature in the match, having recently returned from a knee injury. He completed part of his recovery in Paris, consulting with knee specialist Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet for a second opinion. Despite making intermittent appearances, the issue hasn’t fully resolved, causing him to miss recent matches against Benfica, Getafe, and Celta Vigo.
According to reports, Mbappé will participate in team training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, hoping to prove his fitness for Wednesday’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Carvajal’s absence adds to the defensive concerns for Real Madrid, who will need to rely on other options to contain Manchester City’s potent attack. The Spanish giants will be looking to avenge their defeat to City in last season’s Champions League semi-final.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé scored the second goal in Real Madrid’s match against Manchester City, igniting the game from the start.
The first leg is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
