For their Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash against Atalanta this week, Real Madrid were left with just 11 fit senior outfield players.
Star forward Karim Benzema has not regained his fitness and is on the absentee list with Sergio Ramos, Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, Alvaro Odriozola and Eder Militao.
In recent weeks, Real Madrid news has been dominated by the club’s injury crisis; this campaign has accumulated 41 injuries and 45 percent of their senior outfield players are unavailable for the trip to Bergamo.
Benzema is probably the most significant absence-he has set 17 targets for this campaign for the club and is the attack’s focal point.
With five players from the Castilla side of the club, the squad is supported by left-back Miguel Gutierrez and central defender Victor Chust, alongside midfield duo Sergio Arribas and Antonio Blanco, and striker Hugo Duro.
