Three Real Madrid stars miss training ahead of Manchester City Champions League first-leg clash

Real Madrid had three notable absentees from first-team training ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Pep Guardiola’s side visit the current Champions League holders in midweek, seeking revenge for defeat in the semi-finals last season.

City collapsed to a 6-5 aggregate defeat, losing 3-1 after extra-time, as Real Madrid ended Manchester City’s hopes of reaching a second successive Champions League Final.

The Blues are looking to reach the final for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in Porto in 2021, as City suffered a disappointing defeat in their maiden Champions League final.

Manchester City beat Real Madrid 4-3 in the first-leg last season and also won at Santiago Bernabéu in 2020, in the quarter-finals.

The current Premier League leaders will be without defender Nathan Ake on Tuesday night, after the Dutchman suffered an injury during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium.

Ake, who had recently returned from a hamstring injury, didn’t travel with the City squad to the Spanish capital on Monday afternoon.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed that veteran midfielder Luka Modric would be available to play against Manchester City, however the La Liga giants look set to be without a trio of players.

Éder Militão is suspended for the first-leg due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos were both absent from Real Madrid first-team training on Monday, according to journalist Gustavo Hofman.

Militão and Mendy played in both semi-final fixtures last season, starting matches at both the Etihad Stadium and Bernabéu.

Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga and trail league leaders Barcelona by 14 points.

Additionally, Ancelotti’s side have lost two of their last four matches – suffering a 4-2 loss against Girona and 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad.