The Blancos will be without the Belgian goalkeeper for the near future, while their Brazilian defender is also nursing a knock.
Real Madrid are most likely to be without Thibaut Courtois for the next leg of the Champions League last-16 experience with Manchester City after viewing their first-choice goalkeeper pick up an untimely injury.
The Blancos have confirmed the Belgium global is nursing a groin complaint.
Courtois managed to see 90 minutes of La Liga action against Real Betis on Sunday, as Zinedine Zidane’s side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat.
He was, however, seen hobbling in the wake of that competition, raising fears regarding his participation in forthcoming fixtures.
And medical tests have revealed that the 27-year-old will expect a spell on the sidelines so as to recoup whole match fitness.
Meaning Courtois will be unavailable for a meeting with Eibar on Friday, before then sitting out an important European clash with City in the Etihad Stadium.
An update on Madrid’s official site read:”Following tests completed now on Thibaut Courtois from the Real Madrid Medical Services, he was diagnosed with an injury to his left adductor muscle. His recovery will be tracked.”
With Courtois ruled out, Zidane will need to turn to Alphonse Areola for cover between the sticks.
The Frenchman has taken in only eight appearances for Real this year, having been obtained from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal between Keylor Navas.
Two of these outings have come in the Champions League, with Club Brugge confronted home and from the group stage.
Areola must now prepare himself for crucial European and domestic fixtures which will have a major say in the outcome of Madrid’s season.
He is, but not the only one being forced to step in through the enforced absence of an injured team-mate.
Zidane will also have to locate another left-back to counter the reduction of Marcelo, together with the Brazil international having joined Courtois in the treatment area at Santiago Bernabeu.
He lasted just under an hour against Betis over the weekend prior to being replaced by Ferland Mendy because of a thigh problem, with it unclear when the South American will return into contention.
