Real Madrid’s Alaba dodges Osimhen meeting after being left out of UCL squad

Real Madrid's David Alaba | Imago

FOOTBALL Real Madrid’s Alaba dodges Osimhen meeting after being left out of UCL squad

Real Madrid’s Alaba dodges Osimhen meeting after being left out of UCL squad

Ayoola Kelechi • 07:59 - 02.10.2023

David Alaba will have to wait a few more weeks to face Victor Osimhen in the UEFA Champions League after being left out of Real Madrid's travelling squad for their trip to Napoli

Real Madrid defender David Alaba will not be involved in the club’s upcoming crunch tie in the UEFA Champions League against Napoli after failing to recover from injury in time. 

Alaba set to miss Napoli tie

Alaba was not included in the travelling party as Real Madrid called up 21 players to travel to Naples to take on Napoli in the second group game of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League. 

The Austrian defender has not featured for Real Madrid since he got injured in the 2-0 win over Las Palmas in LaLiga, and it is still uncertain when he will return to action for Los Blancos. 

Alaba missed Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over former league-leaders Girona over the weekend, and will now miss their crunch UCL tie against Napoli, as hinted by manager Carlo Ancelotti. 

Real Madrid’s options to replace Alaba

Real Madrid won their opening match in the 2023/24 Champions League campaign with Alaba in the side when they overcame Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu, but will have to navigate the next game without the Austrian.

In Alaba’s absence, Real Madrid have Nacho, Ferland Mendy, and youngster Fran Garcia all able to replace the former Bayern Munich man at left-back against a Napoli attack that will certainly test Los Blancos’ resilience. 

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It remains unclear how long Alaba will be out of the squad, but the club remains optimistic that the veteran defender will be fit soon to prosecute a gruelling fixture list.

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David Alaba Real Madrid SSC Napoli Champions League