Carlo Ancelotti gives update on two Real Madrid players who are doubts for Man City semi-final

Carlo Ancelotti has said David Alaba and Casemiro are doubts for Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Manchester City.

The 13-time European champions travelled to Manchester on Monday ahead of the first leg at the Etihad, but could be without two former winners of the competition for the game.

Alaba was forced off in Los Blancos’ last outing, the 3-1 victory over Osasuna last Wednesday, a fixture that Casemiro missed due to a muscular problem.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti confirmed the pair may both be forced to sit out the clash with the reigning Premier League champions on Tuesday, despite making the trip to Manchester.

“What we saw yesterday, Alaba is a doubt and more is Casemiero. We will see in the training sessions and that will tell us. We are more confident about Alaba than Casemiro. If he can’t play tomorrow, he will play in the second leg for sure.”

Both players did train in the open session after the press conference, but neither are expected to be fit in time for the game.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti also admitted he’s unsure how best to approach Tuesday’s match, and may go with a traditional front three with two natural wingers in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, or replace the latter with Federico Valverde, who operates more as a pseudo wideman and tends to come inside often and beef up the midfield.

“We’re going to look at the line-up tomorrow and see how things work out,” said the former Chelsea and Everton. “I think it will go to the second leg at the Bernabeu,” he added. “I am not sure whether to play two strikers or three. Rodrygo is playing well, it’s a doubt if we’ll play three strikers.”

One man who is certain to play is the in-form Karim Benzema, with the striker scoring 39 goals in 40 games this season, including 12 in the Champions League.

Ex-Premier League stars Thibaut Courtois and Luka Modric are likely to start, as will the experienced Toni Kross, although Gareth Bale is not expected to feature in the line-up.