Real Madrid: Carvajal unavailable against PSG next week as UEFA confirms ban
Real Madrid will host PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 next week. Even before the whistle has blown Madrid has been handed a handicap.
Zinedine Zidane has gone down an option ahead of the highly anticipated fixture against Paris Saint-Germain. Right-back Dani Carvajal has been officially ruled out of the match against the Parisians. His absence next week could be pivotal to Real Madrid’s success in the first-leg and more importantly their ability to progress in the competition.
Carvajal was handed a yellow card in the 90th minute of the match against APOEL in the group stage which ended in a 6-0 thrashing. The caution was Dani’s third of the group stage which ruled him out of the final group stage fixture. In theory, having his suspension served against Borussia Dortmund he would have been available for the match against PSG.
Unfortunately for Real Madrid and Carvajal, both were handed a little more than what they possibly bargained for. In December, UEFA announced that their Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body believed the right-back was in breach of Article 15 of its disciplinary regulations and rejected an appeal from the club.
UEFA released a statement stating that, “The appeal lodged by Real Madrid CF has been dismissed and the UEFA CEDB’s decision of December 7 is confirmed.”
Probable Replacements
With Carvajal unable to partake in the home fixture to be played next week at the Bernabéu, Zidane has a tough selection ahead. There are two likely solutions to this problem, the first being Nacho and the second Achraf Hakimi.
Nacho will most likely slot in for his Spanish compatriot provided that the rest of the back line does not suffer anymore blows. With all the defenders back in action and in good health slotting the versatile defender into the right-back role will be the best option. Nacho will be looking to have one of the best games of his career as he stares down Neymar on the right side of the pitch.
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Achraf Hakimi would be the last resort to Zidane as he still does not possess the poise and skill set to play in such a high profile game. Hakimi could feature as a substitute but with all due respect to the Morrocan international let’s hope, it doesn’t come to that