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Carlo Ancelotti, on Friday, confirmed the return of two pivotal players capable of helping his side navigate tough Man City test.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the returns of two important squad members ahead of Los Blancos’ LaLiga run-in and quest for another Champions League crown.
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15:11 - 15.03.2024
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What did Ancelotti say about injury returnees?
The Real boss revealed that long-term absentee Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Eder Militao are back in team training and could return to the squad before the club’s Champions League quarter-final tussle with Manchester City.
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“They have started working with the team this week, we will take advantage of this break to do friendlies against the youth team,” said Ancelotti on Friday. “I think they will be ready for the match on the 31st (against Athletic Bilbao). We won’t take any risks. They are doing very well.”
Courtois suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training before the season commenced, forcing the Spanish giants to seek a year-long loan of Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the season. Militao sustained a similar injury in his left knee in the opening match of the season, and both returning were seen as doubtful to return in 2023-24.
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However, Ancelotti’s remarks that both could be back in the squad after this month’s international break is a boost to the side for the remainder of the season as they challenge for LaLiga and the Champions League.
UCL Draw: Real Madrid to face holders Manchester City
Friday’s draw in Nyon saw Real and Pep Guardiola’s team paired together in a rematch of last year’s semi-final, which the Premier League side won comfortably after a commanding 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium to seal a 5-1 aggregate success.
“It’s just that a Champions League quarter-final is always complicated!” Ancelotti said on facing City again. “The idea is to win the competition and, for that, you have to beat the best. City may be among the best in Europe at the moment, it will be tough, of course, but if you want to be European champions, you have to eliminate City.”
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What comes next for Courtois and Militao before Real Madrid returns?
Courtois and Militao are undeniably ruled out of this weekend’s visit to 10th-placed Osasuna as they continue their rehabilitation from serious knee injuries.
The pair could make their returns against Athletic Club on March 31, just in time for Real's Champions League quarter-final first-leg with City at Santiago Bernabeu on April 9.
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