Real Madrid confirm huge injury blow hours before crucial Girona clash

Real Madrid have confirmed centre-back Antonio Rudiger has been diagnosed with a muscle injury which will keep him out of Saturday's crunch clash with Girona.

Rudiger picked up a hamstring injury earlier this month and missed the Madrid derby as a result, but he was expected to return and reclaim his place in the starting lineup for Saturday's battle of La Liga's top two sides.

Unfortunately, Madrid have now confirmed Rudiger has suffered a thigh injury which reports suggest will keep him on the sidelines for at least two weeks.

While losing Rudiger is bad enough in isolation, the dilemma for Carlo Ancelotti is that he is now without a single senior centre-back. Alongside Rudiger, injuries have also ruled Eder Militao, David Alaba and Nacho Fernandez out of the game.

Indeed, the only natural centre-back in the squad for Saturday's game is 19-year-old Jacobo Ramon, who is yet to make his senior debut.

Ancelotti is expected to name Jacobo on his bench and start the pairing of Aurelien Tchouameni, a midfielder, and right-back Dani Carvajal at the heart of his defence against Girona.

Carvajal's small frame was targeted by Atletico Madrid last time out but the veteran defender will now be tasked with stopping Girona's Artem Dovbyk, who stands at 6'2. The Ukraine forward has 14 goals to his name already this season.

Beyond Saturday's game, Ancelotti will also be sweating as Madrid travel to face RB Leipzig in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

Nacho is expected to recover in time for that game, however, but Madrid will still be without three of their four centre-backs.

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