Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric could miss the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Manchester City due to a thigh injury.

The 37-year-old Croatian limped off just over an hour into Real’s recent 4-2 defeat to Girona with ice strapped to his leg. While the club refused to give a timeframe for Modric’s return, reports in Spain suggest he could be out for some time.

“He has a small injury,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed in Friday’s press conference. “I don’t know if he will reach the cup final. We are hurt, but these things happen. I hope he recovers.”

Ancelotti also named possible replacements for Modric, including Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. However, the manager acknowledged that Modric’s experience in big games makes him an “irreplaceable player.”

Real Madrid are set to face Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6, three days before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City. Ancelotti is already preparing to be without star centre-back Eder Militao due to suspension.

“We’ll probably have to replace both of them in the Champions League first leg,” Ancelotti conceded. “Militao, for sure, but hopefully not with Modric.”

Source: Graphiconline