MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid faces Olympiakos in the Champions League hoping to end a three-game losing streak, but injuries will hamper their defense.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was ruled out on Tuesday due to a gastrointestinal virus infection, leaving Raul Asensio as the only central defender available to manager Xabi Alonso for Wednesday’s fifth round of the league.
Dean Huyssen will not be able to go to Greece due to a knee problem, Antonio Rudiger has not fully recovered from a muscle injury and Eder Militao was injured while playing with the Brazilian national team during the international break.
Midfielder Aurelien Choameni is expected to play as central defender on Wednesday. The French international has played in this position before.
Madrid are in seventh place with three wins and one loss in the league, while Olympiakos are near the bottom with two draws and two losses.
Madrid drew 2-2 with Elche in the Spanish league on Sunday. In the previous round, they drew 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano, and in the Champions League they lost 1-0 to Liverpool. Alonso’s team had won 13 of their previous 14 games to start the season.
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