2023-04-19 13:49:00
In the 2-0 second leg once morest Chelsea, Alaba was knocked out at half-time. “His hamstring muscles were strained,” explained coach Carlo Ancelotti. It is already the third mandatory break for the 30-year-old this year. Due to muscle problems, he was absent from the beginning of January to the beginning of February and from the end of February to the end of March.
Ancelotti hopes that Alaba will be available once more in the semi-finals, especially since the second central defender, Eder Militao, will be suspended in the first leg on May 9 or 10. Until then, four league games and the Spanish cup final once morest Osasuna Pamplona (May 6) are on the schedule.
Chelsea were able to use Alaba’s failure to catch up following the 0: 2 at home. Ancelotti might also afford to replace Karim Benzema early. “Reaching a semi-final is always a success because you can keep dreaming of going to the final and winning the Champions League,” said the Italian.
“We want to go back to the final and we have every faith we can do it,” said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who thwarted Chelsea’s few chances. For this he received special praise from Ancelotti. “He helped us with a strong save before half-time. He was the best goalkeeper last season and he’s the best this season.”
A fit Alaba should ensure that the Belgian national goalkeeper has little to do in the semifinals. The absence of the defense chief would be a hard blow for Real Madrid, as ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick argued on Sky: “For me, he is one of the best central defenders there is at the moment.” Because of his qualities in the game up front, the national team captain often has to step in on his usual left side at Real. Rangnick: “I see him very clearly in the center and he himself too. I think that’s where he has the most influence on the game at the moment.”
Leo in focus
The superior Serie A leaders Napoli had to bow to AC Milan. The 1:1 was not enough following the 0:1 away. Man of the match was Rafael Leao. At first he was lucky that his attack in the penalty area once morest Hirving Lozano was not counted as a penalty, just before the break he prepared Olivier Giroud’s 1-0 with a 70-metre solo. “I know I can make the difference,” Leao said. The 23-year-old Portuguese received praise from his coach Stefano Pioli: “One day he will be a champion and actually already is.” Leao was voted Serie A Player of the Year last season. In the current season, he seems to have found his top form just in time for the most important games in the European Cup. Milan have been working on extending the attacking player’s contract for months.
more on the subject
Injured: Manchester United worried regarding Sabitzer
1681913793
#injury #Real #Madrid #hopes #Alaba #comeback #semifinals
