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For this first leg in the north of England, the European champions will have to do without two important players in the midfield. Aurélien Tchouaméni (23 years old) and Toni Kroos (33 years old) are indeed packages for this C1 meeting at Anfield Road. This is necessarily a big blow for the Italian coach of Real Madrid even if he has a high quality workforce. Already absent this weekend in La Liga, the French and the German are suffering from the flu and will not be back in time for this European shock.
Benzema will be there
Tchouaméni will not be the only French absent in England since Ferland Mendy remains unavailable. The merengue side has been out for almost a month due to a muscle injury. Among the good news, Ancelotti can be delighted with the return to the group of Karim Benzema. The Ballon d’Or 2022, package against Osasuna on Saturday (2-0 victory) for a little muscle fatigue, already feels much better. His management had above all chosen to let him breathe this weekend in view of this round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.
Real Madrid remain at a distance in La Liga
Carlo Ancelotti’s players were roughed up this weekend by an attractive Osasuna team despite the absences. Real Madrid had to wait until the 78th minute to open the scoring thanks to Valverde, well served by Vinicius. Asensio doubled the lead in injury time. In the standings, Real Madrid still remains eight points behind FC Barcelona, winner of Cadiz on Sunday evening at Camp Nou (2-0) during this 22nd day of La Liga. A significant but not yet definitive gap in the title race…
