Heartbreak for Chelsea As Important Player Suffers Injury Ahead of UCL Semi-final First Leg vs Real Madrid
- Mateo Kovacic has started 27 of Chelsea’s Premier League and Champions League games this season
- He will miss the Blues’ crucial matches against West Ham United and Real Madrid
- Details was confirmed by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel who says the player should be back against Fulham
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Barely four days to their Champions league semifinal first-leg against Real Madrid, Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic has reportedly suffered injury and could miss the encounter.
The 26-year-old has been a major player for the Blues since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, but may miss their next two crucial fixtures.
Chelsea take on West Ham on Saturday afternoon, April 24, in their quest to finish top four in the English topflight, and then they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League on April 27.
The Blues boss Thomas Tuchel disclosed that Kovacic will not be available for the showdown against Los Blancos next week as he will miss a chance to reunite with his former side.
He already missed their last three consecutive fixtures after injuring his hamstring in the lead-up to the Champions League quarter-final with Porto.
Kovacic has started 27 of their Premier League and Champions League matches this season and he would have been in the squad for the trip to Madrid.
Chelsea manager Tuchel said:
“Me personally, I hope (he will be ready) for Fulham. Don’t take it for granted or that it is medical advice, this is just my personal opinion.
“I think it’s maybe possible to be back against Fulham, in-between the Madrid games.
“I think Madrid could be close as he’s not trained with the team. To be realistic, tomorrow is a game, then two days to prepare for Madrid, without training, it will not happen. Hopefully Fulham is a realistic target.”
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Champions League semifinals for this season will go ahead regularly, despite controversy in the last couple of days over European Super League.
The ESL had threatened the competition following involvement of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City who are still in the competition.
No fewer than 12 elite clubs earlier announced a breakaway competition which they named European Super League, in a bid to contend with the Champions League.
All 12 football clubs who announced their breakaway competition have all left their positions at the UEFA and the European Clubs Association (ECA).
Source: Legit.ng
