Real Madrid have confirmed that Antonio Rudiger suffered "an injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg" during the early stages of Sunday night's La Liga clash with Espanyol.
Rudiger was forced off the field in just the 15th minute of the contest, and after the clash, Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti said that the Germany international had suffered a muscular issue.
Real Madrid have now confirmed that the centre-back picked up a thigh injury during the team's shock 1-0 defeat, and he is now facing a spell on the sidelines at a vital stage of the campaign.
"Following tests carried out on Antonio Rudiger by Real Madrid's medical services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg. His progress will be monitored," read a statement from Real Madrid.
Eder Militao is already out for the season with a serious knee injury, while Dani Carvajal, who is another option in the middle of the defence, will also be missing for the remainder of the campaign due to an ACL issue of his own.
© Imago
Real Madrid confirm injury blow for Rudiger
David Alaba is now back to fitness, but the Austria international has only just returned after more than a year out with a serious knee injury, and he is not yet being considered for 90-minute matches.
As a result, Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni could be the centre-back partnership while Rudiger recovers, and it has been suggested that the defender will be missing for the next three weeks.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez, Rudiger is set to miss Real Madrid's next six matches against Leganes, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City (twice), Osasuna and Girona.
Los Blancos will take on Leganes in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, before welcoming Atletico to Bernabeu in La Liga next weekend.
Ancelotti's side will then head to Man City for the first leg of their Champions League playoff on February 11, with the return match in the Spanish capital set to take place on February 19, and Rudiger is expected to miss both of those fixtures in a major blow for the reigning champions.
Matt Law
