Madrid missing key trio
Monday, February 25, 2002
Article summary
Real Madrid CF will be without three key players for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League match.
Article body
Real Madrid CF will travel to FC Porto for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League clash without Raúl González, Roberto Carlos and Zinedine Zidane.
Substitute Raúl
The aforementioned trio have all been ruled out after collecting knocks in the 3-1 win over Deportivo Alavés on Saturday. Raúl was not in the starting lineup after almost a month on the sidelines on Saturday against Alavés but came on as a second-half substitute, scoring once and winning a penalty. Zidane was substituted in the 68th minute while Roberto Carlos played the whole match.
Not serious
None of the injuries are thought to be serious but, with the Merengues almost assured of a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Vicente del Bosque is conserving his resources ahead of a busy spell of domestic action. The three players join Luis Figo, Savio and Geremi on the injured list while into the squad for the first time comes Real Madrid B striker Javier Portillo.
Key games
Madrid face title contenders RC Celta de Vigo on 2 March before playing in the Copa del Rey final against RC Deportivo La Coruña on 6 March. The Spanish champions are top of Group C having won all three second stage matches.
