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Rabat – Real Madrid will be without left‑back Alvaro Carreras for Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against Manchester City.
The 22‑year‑old has picked up a calf injury and is expected to be absent for around a week, ruling him out of the Bernabeu tie and leaving his availability for the return leg in Manchester on March 17 in doubt.
Voici les joueurs du Real Madrid qui seront absents contre Manchester City :
❌ Kylian Mbappé
❌ Jude Bellingham
❌ Éder Militão
❌ David Alaba
❌ Dani Ceballos
❌ Rodrygo
❌ Álvaro Carreras pic.twitter.com/YQ6k9MvYbU— Edition Merengue (@EditionMerengue) March 9, 2026
Madrid confirmed on Monday that medical tests showed a muscle problem in Carreras’ right calf. He sustained the injury against Getafe on March 2 and was already absent from Friday’s win over Celta Vigo due to suspension.
Carreras has made 34 appearances in all competitions since joining Real Madrid from Benfica last summer, scoring twice and assisting twice.
He has started eight of Madrid’s ten Champions League games this season, making him a key part of Arbeloa’s squad.
Real Madrid’s growing list of injuries
His absence adds to Madrid’s growing list of injuries. Jude Bellingham is sidelined with a hamstring issue and will miss the first leg. Kylian Mbappe is also unavailable after suffering a knee sprain, with further tests carried out in France last week.
Long‑term absentees include defender Eder Militao and forward Rodrygo, while David Alaba and Dani Ceballos remain out as well.
Ferland Mendy, who has struggled with repeated muscle injuries and has featured only four times this season, started against Celta Vigo in Carreras’ place and is likely to fill in again against City.
Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has also been used at left‑back when needed, giving Arbeloa another option.
The injuries leave Madrid short of depth ahead of one of their toughest fixtures of the season. Facing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City without several first‑choice players is a major challenge, especially with the tie finely balanced over two legs.
Carreras’ recovery will be closely monitored, as his return could be crucial for the second leg at the Etihad.
Madrid’s squad has shown resilience in past seasons, but the current wave of injuries will test their limits like few others before.
As the storied club now faces the task of once again reshuffling its lineup, it will be hoping to maintain stability in defense while coping with the absence of key stars in midfield and attack.
