The UEFA Champions League is back this week and we’re down to the final four teams. The first legs of the semi-finals take place on 2 and 3 May but not all teams will have their key players available for the clash.
The Madrid derby is arguably the bigger fixture in the semi-finals. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have met each other in two of the last three Champions League finals with Real coming out on top on both occasions to win their 10th and 11th European crowns.
But it remains to be seen if Los Blancos can beat their derby rivals over two legs. And the players unavailable to Zinedine Zidane’s side might have an impact on the result. However, Atletico also have problems of their own.
In the other fixture, it is a clash of youth vs experience as AS Monaco take on Juventus. Monaco are certainly the dark horses this season and have surprised one and all with their results in the previous rounds. Juventus, the 2015 runners-up, will have their hands full over the two legs.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will be looking to claim his first win over Real Madrid in the Champions League when they lock horns on 2 May. In the 2014 and 2016 finals, both matches went into extra-time with the latter even going to penalties.
Among the key players who are injured is Yannick Carrasco. The Belgian winger has scored 14 goals for the Rojiblancos this season but only lasted 16 minutes in the 1-0 win over Villarreal.
A collarbone injury saw the 23-year-old substituted and replaced by Fernando Torres. However, in spite of a clavicle injury, Carrasco was seen in training. But whether he starts the game is up for debate.
Jose Gimenez will most likely miss the clash after he was forced off the pitch in the 5-0 win over Las Palmas. The Uruguayan defender was injured in a battle with Kevin-Prince Boateng.
A grade two tear in his left adductor muscle will require him to be sidelined for at least two weeks. He was easily one of the best players on the pitch against Leicester City when deployed in midfield.
Gimenez’s injury will be difficult to swallow as he has deputised at right-back following injuries to Juanfran and Sime Vrsaljko. Other players with long-term injuries who may not play a part are Miguel Angel Moya and Tiago Mendes.
Predicted Lineup: Jan Oblak; Stefan Savic, Lucas Hernandez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Nicolas Gaitan, Saul Niguez, Gabi, Koke; Kevin Gameiro, Antoine Griezmann
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane also has a few injuries to contend with ahead of the big clash. The biggest miss would be Gareth Bale who will miss the clash after he suffered a calf injury. The Welsh forward was risked in El Clasico and had to be substituted in the first half. The injury will keep him out for at least a month.
Centre-back Pepe is also out after having suffered a rib injury earlier in April. In the Madrid derby in La Liga, a collision with Toni Kroos saw the Portuguese defender fracture his seventh and eighth ribs on the left side. This is not his first rib injury and the last time he had only bruised them and that alone saw him sidelined for a month.
Raphael Varane may be available but he may not start the game. The French defender had limped off 11 minutes into a La Liga clash with Alaves in the first week of April. Nacho has been playing alongside Sergio Ramos in the centre-back role and he could start this game.
Predicted Lineup: Keylor Navas; Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos; Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Karim Benzema
AS Monaco
Leonardo Jardim will be without the services of Djibril Sidibe who has played mainly as a right-back but also as a left-back in a couple of games this season. He had initially been hospitalised with appendicitis and also had a chest injury that kept him out of the home game against Toulouse.
Almamy Toure, who deputised for Sidibe could also miss the clash after he had suffered a hip injury that also saw him the Ligue 1 game last weekend. Nabil Dirar will most probably slot in at right-back.
However, Tiemoue Bakayoko may be the biggest loss for Jardim if he is unavailable for the clash. The central midfielder broke his nose in a training session when he collided with Polish defender Kamil Glik. If he does play, he may do so while wearing a mask.
Predicted Lineup: Danijel Subasic; Nabil Dirar, Jemerson, Kamil Glik, Benjamin Mendy; Bernardo Silva, Joao Moutinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar; Kylian Mbappe, Radamel Falcao
Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri will be without the services of Sami Khedira who was booked in both quarter-final legs against Barcelona. The German midfielder was suspended as a result and Allegri may have to go with either Claudio Marchisio or Hernanes alongside Miralem Pjanic in central midfield.
Marko Pjaca is ruled out with a long-term injury after he was injured on international duty. The Croatian forward tore his anterior cruciate ligaments when he twisted his knee.
Allegri will also miss the services of defender Daniele Rugani after he suffered a leg injury. The 22-year-old centre-back had experienced discomfort in his right knee and a closer look revealed a minor fracture to the head of his fibula. However, he may not be a big miss as both Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are available.
Predicted Lineup: Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio; Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo Higuain
