Real Madrid’s bid to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit against Barcelona in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg has been complicated by another absence in training.
Eder Militao’s own goal gave Barca a slender first leg advantage heading back to Camp Nou, in a game that saw Real Madrid fail to have a single shot on target despite having 65% possession.
Militao’s central defensive partner that night was Antonio Rudiger, but the German was absent from group training on Tuesday morning after missing the 6-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid in La Liga at the weekend because of a knee complaint.
It was reported at the time that it was not thought to be serious, although the centre-back was due to have tests on Monday. Come Tuesday morning, Rudiger was not involved in the main session as the Real squad trained before making the trip to Catalonia.
Marca report that Real are still hopeful of being able to count on Rudiger for that game, with coach Carlo Ancelotti seemingly still keen to pick him.
Rudiger is believed to stayed inside to work in the gym at Valdebebas on Tuesday alongside Mariano Diaz. The rest of the squad had started in the gym too but then moved outside for ball drills, specific tactical work and small-sided games.
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Rudiger has largely been a key player for Real since his free transfer from Chelsea last summer. The 30-year-old Germany international has started 17 of 27 La Liga games, as well as three Champions League group games and both legs of the recent last 16 win over Liverpool.
If anything, Rudiger has become more a regular feature as time has gone by. He was in and out of the staring XI in the early months of the season but has started virtually every game across all competitions since club football resumed following the 2022 World Cup.
Should Rudiger be unavailable on Wednesday, Ancelotti could continue to use the fit-again David Alaba in his place, as was the case against Real Valladolid. With Ferland Mendy sidelined, Eduardo Camavinga filled in at left-back in that game, although Nacho remains an option in both roles.
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