Real Madrid midfielder ruled out for Champions League semi-final first-leg against Manchester City

Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has been ruled out of the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City, according to reports.

Two of Europe’s very best sides go head-to-head across two-legs in the next fortnight for a place in a showpiece final hosted by Istanbul, with their opponents set to be either of AC Milan or Inter Milan in June.

The clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid is a repeat of last year’s semi-final contest, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side coming out on top via a late comeback in the Spanish capital en route to success over Liverpool in a Paris final.

Pep Guardiola and his players will see this latest episode of a growing rivalry between the two clubs as the perfect opportunity for revenge, especially with Manchester City hunting down a treble of trophy successes this season.

In the build-up to the first-leg of the two-legged affair, Real Madrid have been hit with an injury blow to their midfield options, at a time when manager Ancelotti will be requiring the contributions of all his players.

According to a report from Spanish newspaper Marca, as translated and relayed by Football Espana, Dani Ceballos will be a confirmed absentee for Real Madrid in Tuesday night’s first-leg clash.

It is stated that Ceballos’ absence is a blow for manager Carlo Ancelotti, as the Italian coach intends to use his full squad across the two-legs against Manchester City.

Ceballos’ thigh injury forced him to miss the Copa del Rey final win over Osasuna at the weekend, however it is reassured that a return for the second-leg of the semi-final tie with Manchester City remains a possibility.

As for the Premier League giants, they continue to sweat on the fitness of mainstay left-back option Nathan Ake – who was forced to withdraw midway through the second-half of the 2-1 win over Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola is expected to confirm the availability of the Dutch international during his pre-match press conference on Monday, although that may emerge earlier should Ake be absent from the club’s official travelling squad list.