Real Madrid dealt late Covid blow as regular drops out of Liverpool tie

Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s plans for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with Liverpool have been thrown into disarray after defender Raphael Varane tested positive for coronavirus.

Zinedine Zidane’s entire defensive plans centred around the availability of Varane for the first leg at the Bernabeu. With Sergio Ramos a long-term absentee, Varane has been a regular in their defence. However, it has emerged that Varane will now be unavailable after testing positive on the morning of the match.

Real announced the setback in a statement on their official website.

“Real Madrid informs that our player Raphael Varane tested positive in the Covid-19 test he underwent this morning.”

Varane was rested for Saturday’s LaLiga match against Eibar with the Liverpool clash in mind. His positive test leaves Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao as their only centre-back options for the first leg. It could lead to a change of shape with Zidane perhaps even considering a change to his usual back four.

Real take on Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday. They are scheduled to play the second leg against Liverpool at Anfield next Wednesday.


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Zidane irked by Liverpool narrative

Zidane, meanwhile, feels  his team have been underestimated ahead of their Champions League showdown with the Reds.

Los Blancos come into the game off the back of a 2-0 win over Eibar that put them second in La Liga. But unlike with the Premier League, the race for the title in Spain is now wide open. Indeed, they trail top dogs Atletico Madrid by three points after their loss to Sevilla on Sunday.

But despite their title chances remaining alive, the consensus among some pundits is that Liverpool have a strong chance of getting through to the Champions League semi-finals.

Zinedine Zidane: Real Madrid can only be patient with Eden Hazard

Zinedine Zidane: Real Madrid can only be patient with Eden Hazard

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says they 'can only be patient' with Eden Hazard as the Belgium international continues to struggle with injuries.

Pundit Graeme Souness said that he has seen “a lot of tired legs” in Madrid’s ranks. He added that he feels “suspicious” of the quality of La Liga this season.

However, Zidane does not agree. Asked in his pre-match conference whether he thinks his team have been underestimated, the Frenchman said (via the Marca): “Well, I think so.

“In the end, we deserve trust. What we can focus on is the day to day job.

“This team never gives up on anything.”

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