RealseekChampionsLeaguespark
DEPLETED In the absence of injured skipper Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale, struggling defending champions Real Madrid take on APOEL MADRID: BERLIN:
RealMadridwilltravelto Nicosia, Cyprus for Tuesday’s Champions League match at APOEL without Sergio Ramos after their captain suffered abroken nose during the Madrid derby. Ramos’ injury was confirmed after Saturday’s goalless draw against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Although Madrid or boss ZinedineZidanedidnotdisclosehow long they expected Ramos to be absent, the 31-year-old did not featureintheEuropeanchampions’ 20-man travelling party for the game in Cyprus.
Onceagain,therewasnoplace forGarethBaleorKeylorNavas.
Baleisrecoveringfromhislatest injury setback, a groin strain sufferedearlierthismonth,while Costa Rica goalkeeper Navas is back in training following an abductortearbutnotyetdeemed ready for action.
Realarelookingforareturnto winningwaysintheChampions League after taking a solitary pointfromback-to-backencounterswithTottenhaminGroupH, althoughadrawwouldbeenough tosealaplaceintheknockoutstages in the event of Borussia DortmundfailingtobeatSpursatSignal Iduna Park. Zidane’s men have only won one of their past four games in all competitions.
AUBAMEYANGBACK
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is expected to return to contention for Tuesday’scrucial Champions League clash with Tottenham after a club-imposed suspension. Reports have suggestedthatAubameyang’spartying during the international break and his decision to film an unauthorised video on club premiseswithafreestylefootballerledtoPeterBoszpunishinghis star striker ahead of Friday’s match with Stuttgart.
Dortmund lost 2-1 at the Mercedes-BenzArenaastheirslump in formtookinafifth Bundesliga game in succession without victory.ThatrunhasmirroredAubameyang’sownlackofform—he has 15 goals for the season, but noneinhislastfivegamesacross all competitions.
And chief executive Hans- JoachimWatzkesaystheGabon international will come in from the cold when Dortmund host Tottenham, when Bosz’s men require a victory if they are to keeptheirslimhopesofreaching the last 16 alive.
Watzke said: “A squad needs rules and, every now and then, youhavetosharpenyoursenses. The decision is up to Peter Bosz and the coach has complete support from all sides. Auba is still a great guy. Hewillbebacktonormal on Tuesday. But he has no special rights — you have seen that again.”
Watzke firmly ruled out any prospect that the disciplinary measures could prompt DortmundintoaJanuarysaleoftheir prized asset. “It’s not about sellingaplayer,thatiscompletenonsense,” he said.