Champions League: Madrid to rest Kroos and Vinicius for Cádiz match, Chelsea’s Koulibaly out
The absence of the German and Brazilian players is due to a controlled rest time
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and Toni Kroos will not feature in Saturday's La Liga match against Cadiz because of their crucial second-leg UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea in London on Tuesday while Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly has been ruled out of the match.
Vinicius and Kroos did not participate in the last practice session before the Cádiz-Real Madrid LaLiga Santander match scheduled for Saturday evening in Andalusia, and therefore they will not travel with the team.
The absence of the German and Brazilian players is due to a controlled rest time, as they are both key pieces for coach Carlo Ancelotti and the focus is on the Champions League.
The club expects them to be available for the upcoming match against Chelsea, where, despite a 2-0 lead, they will want to have their strongest line-up.
Another expected absence from training was Ferland Mendy, who continues to recover from a muscle injury. He is expected to return to the pitch after the Copa del Rey final on 6 May against Osasuna if he meets the deadlines.
In light of these absences, Ancelotti called up three players from the reserves to complete the session, including regular face Vinicius Tobias and two less frequently promoted players, Theo Zidane and Pipi Nakai.
With Barcelona currently strolling away towards the LaLiga title, rotations are expected to be the norm in domestic competition, and with the important match against Chelsea on the horizon, the dynamics of the team are even more crucial.
Meanwhile, Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has confirmed Koulibaly will miss their midweek Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The Blues lost 2-0 in the Spanish capital, in their quarter-final first leg on April 12, with Senegalese international Koulibaly forced off in the second half.
Lampard has now updated the situation on the 31-year-old, stating he will be out ‘for weeks with a hamstring issue.
With Ben Chilwell suspended, following his first-leg red card, Lampard faces a defensive headache, as he aims to turn the tie around.
Spanish international Marc Cucurella is set to replace Chilwell at left wing-back, with fellow La Roja star Cesar Azpilicueta in line to replace Koulibaly in a back three, with Benoit Badiashile ineligible.
N’Golo Kante is expected to be rested for the weekend Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, to keep the French international fresh to face Los Blancos on April 18.
