One key Blancos player could spend costly time on the sidelines.

Real Madrid are preparing for an important clash in La Liga. The Spanish Primera Division leaders face Villarreal on Sunday in a must-win league match for Zidane’s boys.

Despite boasting a game in-hand in La Liga, their 2-1 loss at Valencia has hampered their confidence. The gap between Los Blancos and closest rivals Barcelona is a single point, meaning failure to win for Cristiano and Co. could mean surrendering top spot.

As a result, news of a possible lengthy layoff for key defender Raphael Varane could not have come at a worse time. The Frenchman has been an integral figure in Real Madrid’s starting lineup, but will spend costly time on the sidelines after picking up an injury in the 2-1 defeat.

The defender lasted only 73 minutes that day, as he limped off the pitch with a hamstring injury. Les Merengues performed tests before revealing it to be a grade 2 muscle strain in his left hamstring.

This means Varane will miss the weekend trip to El Madrigal. Real Madrid failed to announce a return date, but similar injuries have required over a month of recovery in the past.

This has cast doubt over Varane’s availability for the second-leg Champions League clash with Napoli and a tricky test to Athletic Bilbao in the league. The European tie will be played on March 7 and the trip to Basque on March 18.

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Villarreal 2 - 3 Real Madrid

February 26, 2017 2:45pmEstadio de la Ceramica

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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