Real Madrid defender David Alaba will not play a part in his side’s crunch Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti ruled out the 29-year-old on Tuesday.
Alaba was withdrawn at half-time of last week’s first leg at the Etihad Stadium and did not feature in the 4-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday — the game which saw Madrid confirmed as La Liga champions.
“Alaba can’t play, he’s not ready for the (City) game,” Ancelotti confirmed.
“It can be a long match, so it’s not as important who starts the match as who is going to finish it.”
Nacho replaced Alaba last week and Ancelotti believes that the 32-year-old Madrid academy product will not alter his team’s ability to defend against City — who won the first leg 4-3.
“No, it doesn’t change,” Ancelotti said. “It is collective defensive work.
“Alaba is an important piece, but Nacho has also done very well, he has experience and I am sure he will do well tomorrow.”
Though Ancelotti ruled Alaba out of the game, Alaba was later included in the 23-man Madrid squad.
(Photo: Alex Gottschalk/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
How will Real approach Wednesday's game?
Ancelotti also spoke about Madrid’s approach, given they need to outscore City to progress to the final.
He added: “The game has to be complete. The low block has to be better than the first leg, the pressure has to be well done to avoid passes between lines and transitions.
“We are not going to propose a game with a low block, that’s for sure, but at some moments of the game, it will be. The game has to be complete.”