Real Madrid in full-blown crisis mode as fifth defender is ruled out of Man City showdown

Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League knockout round playoff first leg against Manchester City due to "a muscle injury in the hamstring of his left leg".

Vazquez was replaced in the 81st minute of Saturday's Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in what appeared to be a tactical change, and there was no mention of any potential injury after the 1-1 draw at Bernabeu.

However, an official statement from Real Madrid has revealed that Vazquez has a hamstring issue, and he will definitely be out of the first match with Man City at the Etihad Stadium.

"Following tests carried out today on our player Lucas Vázquez by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the hamstring of his left leg. He will not be included in the squad for the match in Manchester. Pending progress," read an official statement from the Spanish and European champions.

There has been no mention of a potential timeframe in terms of his recovery, but according to AS, Vazquez will be missing for the next three weeks, and his injury is a major blow for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

© Imago

Real Madrid's Vazquez ruled out with hamstring injury

Real Madrid are also currently without the services of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger through injury.

As a result, Federico Valverde could be asked to play at right-back against Man City, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asencio featuring in the middle, and either Ferland Mendy or Fran Garcia down the left.

Eduardo Camavinga is fit again after a period on the sidelines, while Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham are also options in midfield, so Ancelotti will be comfortable moving Valverde to the right-back spot.

However, five Real Madrid players are also walking a tightrope ahead of the second leg, with Tchouameni, Camavinga, Endrick, Modric and Bellingham all a yellow card away from missing the return fixture in Madrid.