Real Madrid missing four players for Napoli clash

Real Madrid have been unable to recover David Alaba in time for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Napoli, with the defender again missing out due to a groin problem.

Alaba was absent against Girona in the league on Saturday due to the issue that he picked up against Las Palmas last week.

Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti had seemingly initially been confident that the 31-year-old would recover in time for the European contest in Naples.

However, Alaba has not made the trip to Italy, meaning that Nacho is likely to continue in the middle of the defence alongside Antonio Rudiger.

Nacho was sent off in the latter stages of the 3-0 win over Girona at the weekend, but his suspension only relates to domestic matches, making him available for selection here.

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Real Madrid are without their two first-choice centre-backs, as Eder Militao remains on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

The Brazil international was forced to undergo an operation on his damaged ACL earlier this season, and he faces a huge battle to return before the end of the campaign.

Thibaut Courtois also damaged his ACL in August, with the Belgium international unlikely to be available for selection until the 2024-25 campaign.

Arda Guler completes the absentee list, with the Turkey international on the sidelines due to a thigh issue that he picked up shortly after returning to training following a knee injury.

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Guler was close to making his debut for Real Madrid, having worked his way back from a minor knee procedure, but he is on the sidelines until later this month.

Vinicius Junior has recently returned to fitness, though, and he is expected to start in the final third of the field alongside either Rodrygo or Joselu.

Jude Bellingham will go in search of his eighth goal of the season in Tuesday's affair, while Ancelotti has a huge decision to make when it comes to the involvement of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Alaba's absence also means that there is once again a spot in the squad for Real Madrid Castilla defender Alvaro Carrillo.

Real Madrid squad vs. Napoli:

Lunin, Kepa, Canizares; Carvajal, Nacho, Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Rudiger, Mendy, Carrillo; Bellingham, Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Vinicius, Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim