Real Madrid are sweating over the fitness of David Alaba with reports in Spain suggesting the Austria star will not play against Manchester City on Tuesday night (8pm). Colliding over two legs for a place in the Champions League final, the Spanish giants are primed and ready to jet over to Manchester.
Without a La Liga game at the weekend, the runaway leaders were afforded some extra rest time while City made light work of relegation-threatened Watford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. It was ideal preparation for the impending showdown as Gabriel Jesus found his shooting boots with four goals.
However, if Real are to stop him and the other attacking weapons at Pep Guardiola's disposal, it appears they will have to do so without Alaba. A marquee summer signing from Bayern Munich, the 29-year-old has been a consistent performer at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside regular centre-back partner Eder Militao.
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The Austrian defender has played 44 games in all competitions. The most recent of his appearances came last Wednesday when he scored against Osasuna - but was taken off at half-time after picking up what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Speaking at the time, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "We are optimistic with [David] Alaba. He had a strain, we took him off as a precaution."
However, while the Italian initially downplayed that potential setback, several follow-up reports are suggesting he will not be fit enough to face the Premier League champions.
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