يواجه منتخب مصر الثاني المشارك في بطولة كأس العرب، نظيره الإمارات، ضمن منافسات دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب. 

وكان منتخب مصر قد تعادل بهدف لكل فريق في الجولة الماضية مع الكويت، في الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العرب. 

ويقع منتخب مصر الثاني في المجموعة الثالثة في بطولة كأس العرب، رفقة منتخبات الأردن والإمارات والكويت. 

طالع.. منتخب مصر الثاني يختتم استعداداته لمواجهة الإمارات في كأس العرب

ويحتل منتخب مصر الثاني المركز الثالث في ترتيب المجموعة، بعد التعادل في الجولة الماضية أمام الكويت، بينما يتذيل الإمارات ترتيب المجموعة بدون أي رصيد من النقاط.  موعد مباراة مصر والإمارات في كأس العرب 

يواجه منتخب مصر الثاني نظيره الإمارات، في تمام الساعة الثامنة والنصف مساء اليوم السبت، بتوقيت القاهرة، والتاسعة والنصف مساء بتوقيت السعودية وقطر والعاشرة والنصف مساء بتوقيت الإمارات.  القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر والإمارات اليوم في كأس العرب 

تذاع المباراة عبر قنوات بي إن سبورتس HD المفتوحة، بالإضافة إلى قناة الكأس 1، أبوظبي الرياضية، ودبي الرياضية وإم بي سي مصر 2.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Rangers are now reportedly ready to grant Danny Rohl’s transfer request after the German commenced a personal scouting mission ahead of January.

Rangers must be "ruthless", says Rohl

As Old Firm rivals Celtic closed the gap on Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Rangers stuttered for the second-consecutive outing in midweek – drawing 2-2 against Dundee United. Just when Rohl was looking for a reaction, he watched on as the Gers were forced to salvage a point courtesy of Nedim Bajrami’s late penalty.

Disappointed by yet more dropped points, the Rangers boss told reporters: “We are disappointed because it’s just one point. We put everything on the pitch until the end, that’s why we deserve a point.

“When I see how many chances we create, we should win this game. If we can bring this together in the future with a clean sheet, we win games.

“We are disappointed, but I see a step forward today from my group. We had more tempo, better decision-making, our body shape between the lines. We sped up our games in the right moment.

Rangers "passenger" has been so bad that he makes Dowell look good

This Glasgow Rangers flop is currently making Kieran Dowell look like a good player by comparison.

ByDan Emery Dec 3, 2025

“I’m not happy because you have to win, there’s no question. We have to be ruthless in both boxes. I am convinced that more goals will come. At the moment it is hard work.

“Of course, the last two results are not what we want. They are two different results. The weekend [at home to Falkirk] was a boring draw, today it was an entertaining draw, but for both you get just one point.”

It’s become clear in the last week that those at Ibrox must back Rohl when the January transfer window swings open. Without sporting director Kevin Thelwell, there’s also every chance that the German will have greater control on arrivals and that could see Youssef Chermiti replaced.

Rangers ready to grant Rohl request

As reported by TeamTalk, Rangers are now ready to grant Rohl’s request for a new No.9 to replace summer flop Chermiti. The Gers boss has commenced a personal scouting mission in recent weeks and recruitment chiefs have held talks with agents in the Netherlands and Belgium on the hunt for a crucial addition.

Alongside a new striker, Rohl has reportedly asked the 49ers to sign a dynamic central midfielder and a versatile full-back in an attempt to add quality in depth.

It comes as no surprise that Rohl has set his sights on a striker. It would instantly make up for Thelwell’s mistake in the summer, which saw Chermiti arrive for as much as £8m to make the forward one of Rangers’ most expensive ever signings. That alone perfectly sums up the disaster that was the sporting director’s time in Scotland.

It’s also not a great shock that Rohl’s after a dynamic midfielder in 2026, given that Nicolas Raskin could still leave the club amid interest from the Premier League. Losing the Belgian would be a major blow, but the sale would also fund a much-needed overhaul when the winter window swings open.

Rohl must now ditch Rangers dud who was the "shining light" under Martin

Ryan Mason now has only two wins from his last ten games in charge of West Bromwich Albion, as the pressure on his shoulders at the Hawthorns only gets heavier by the match.

Indeed, after falling to a 3-2 defeat to Tonda Eckert’s red-hot Southampton in the Championship in mid-week, the Baggies – who had promotion aspirations coming into the long second-tier season – now sit in an unsatisfactory 16th spot in the competitive division, six points shy of the coveted playoff positions.

Will Mason ultimately have to pay the price with his employment? Only time will tell.

An obvious source of frustration for the under-fire boss will be the continued no-show performances from Isaac Price, who was once one of the former Tottenham Hotspur coach’s first names on the teamsheet, only to now find himself slipping out of his manager’s first team plans on occasion.

Price's drop off at West Brom

Price started the brand new Championship season like a runaway train, with three goals and one assist coming his way from just his opening three clashes.

Of course, there would have to be a slight decline, as it’s unreasonable to expect the Northern Ireland international to be consistently hitting these ridiculous heights over a full campaign.

But, he has been extremely poor, all the same, in recent weeks as West Brom’s form has fallen off a cliff, leading to Mason only handing the ex-Everton youngster 26 minutes of action against Queens Park Rangers at the start of the month.

From the start against the Saints, he wasn’t any better, either, with just one of his six efforts at St. Mary’s being hit on target, alongside the lacklustre 22-year-old only winning two of his seven duels, as his previous tag of being an energetic livewire was nowhere to be found.

Games played

10

Minutes played

754 mins

Games started

9

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

With his last goal for the club coming all the way back in October, amid a barren patch of form that can be seen looking at the table above, it could well fall to a new manager to get the very best out of Price.

Indeed, if Mason is brutally given the axe, there is one rumoured manager target who could be the fresh head coach the Northern Ireland international needs to reignite his failing season.

The Mason upgrade who can revive Price

As is the cruel nature of the beast, whenever a manager is going through a torrid run of form, rumours will circulate in the air that he is soon going to be on the chopping block.

That has begun for Mason, with suggestions that former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick could soon fill the vacancy if it opens up.

After all, Carrick did manage to guide Boro to one playoff finish during his three seasons at the Riverside helm, which is where West Brom are aspiring to be, leading to 56 league wins being notched up in total by the ex-Manchester United legend on Teesside.

He did eventually get the sack, but he still holds a prestigious reputation in the beautiful game among his peers, having been noted as a figure that “oozes class” by Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley, whom he played alongside at Old Trafford.

Most importantly for West Brom’s specific predicament, too, he managed to have a positive impact on a litany of attacking midfielders at the Riverside, with Finn Azaz – who operates from the number ten spot much like Price, but can also fill in down the left – amassing a ridiculous 16 goals and 16 assists from 66 games under Carrick.

Carrick even worked alongside Morgan Rogers at Boro before his Aston Villa explosion, with seven goals and nine assists coming his way under the out-of-work boss, before maturing into a Premier League-calibre star.

If Carrick were to be handed the reins after Mason, Price would be praying that he could be transformed into another revelation, having shown glimpses here and there of what he can do.

Price and co would surely relish the opportunity to work with a figure like Carrick, and not just because of his playing career, having been hailed as an “insanely talented coach” by former Boro player Lukas Engel.

Manager Focus

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Before anyone gets too carried away, however, Mason does a bumper set of Christmas fixtures ahead to save his skin. Still, the final nail in the coffin would surely come if more and more losses were tallied up.

West Brom gem who left for £4m is now worth more than entire squad combined

This former West Brom talent is now worth more than every player in the current squad combined.

ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

The Champions League remains the pinnacle of the European game, showcasing the very best that the continent has to offer, both collectively and on an individual basis.

Paris Saint-Germain romped to the title in emphatic fashion last time around, yet with talisman – and Ballon d’Or winner – Ousmane Dembele seeing his impact limited this time around due to injury, who else is now leading the way instead?

Ranking factors

• Current form
• Importance to team
• Reputation and honours

50-41

A fair few new entrants to our top 50 this week, with Xavi Simons notably securing that final spot following his standout display against Slavia Prague, while Rayan Cherki also gets a nod following his stellar performance as Man City saw off Real Madrid.

Perhaps the performance of the week, at least from a Premier League perspective, came from Arsenal’s Noni Madueke, however, with the Englishman’s first of the night against Club Brugge an early contender for goal of the competition.

40-31

A fresh face also emerges in this next batch of names, with Bayern Munich’s teen sensation, Lennart Karl, deserving of a first inclusion, having now scored in three Champions League games in a row – the youngest player to have achieved that feat.

Elsewhere, Madueke’s ever-reliable teammate, David Raya, also surges up our list, having kept yet another clean sheet away at Brugge – his fifth in just six outings in this year’s edition.

30-21

It’s a bit of an Arsenal theme this week, with a word also needing to be said for Gabriel Martinelli, following his stunning second-half effort. The Brazilian speedster already has five goals in this season’s Champions League, despite making just three starts.

It also proved to be another positive outing for Bayer Leverkusen’s talisman, Alejandro Grimaldo, with the in-form left-footer denying Newcastle all three points late on in the BayArena.

20-11

The top 20 sees Anthony Gordon retain his place, having now scored five times himself this season, while Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez also deserves his own surge up this list after netting the opener against PSV Eindhoven.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s shock defeat away to Atalanta sees Enzo Fernandez drop out of the top ten, with the Serie A side coming from behind to win 2-1 in Bergamo.

So, who is included in the top ten after match week five?

10

Pedri

Taking Enzo’s place in this top ten is Barcelona genius, Pedri, with the Spaniard again putting on a midfield clinic in the 2-1 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt.

108 touches. 100% of his dribbles successfully completed. 100% of his tackles won. Need we say more?

9

Jurrien Timber

Heralded by some as the best right-back in the world after helping Arsenal beat Bayern at the end of November, Timber has showcased himself to be a phenomenal signing by the Gunners.

The Dutchman may have missed the clash with Brugge, but it would be harsh to dislodge him from his place in this top ten.

8

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen has stormed into the top ten following his stunning hat-trick away at Ajax in match week four.

He didn’t play in game week five, and failed to fire this time around against Monaco, but still sits second in the scoring charts, now up to six goals from just four appearances in 2025/26.

7

Marcus Rashford

There can be a perceived lack of interest or importance placed on these league phase fixtures, although Marcus Rashford has already served up reasons to be entertained, notably lashing home that stunner at St James’ Park, while producing an early contender for assist of the season after picking out Ferran Torres against PSG.

With two more goals under his belt against Olympiacos, having also picked out Jules Kounde in stunning fashion in midweek, the 27-year-old is finally looking back to his brilliant best.

6

Michael Olise

Bayern Munich must be rubbing their hands with glee at having prised Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for ‘just’ £50m, with the France international going to new heights at the Allianz Arena.

With four goals and assists already in this year’s competition, the fleet-footed winger is already looking deadly again.

5

Declan Rice

Last season, Rice powered Arsenal to the Champions League semi-finals courtesy of two remarkable free-kicks against Real Madrid, deserving of the Puskas award. If you didn’t think he couldn’t get any better, think again.

He may have sat out Brugge through illness, although he memorably rocked up against Bayern Munich in match week five to deliver a virtuoso man-of-the-match display.

Is there a better midfielder in world football? Perhaps there’s one.

4

Vitinha

From struggling against Chorley in the FA Cup for Wolves, the Portuguese midfielder has come a long way since. He’s a Champions League winner and arguably delivered his finest performance in the competition to date against Tottenham in match week five, scoring a stunning hat-trick which included a cracking equaliser in the first half.

Thomas Frank remarked after the game that he is “the next Ballon d’Or winner”. Any complaints? Very few.

3

Harry Kane

The fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for one club, the England skipper is in the form of his life right now, notching up five goals already to kickstart his – and Bayern’s – bid for an elusive Champions League crown.

He was the finest player in the competition to date until he came up against Arsenal in match week five, having also failed to fire against Sporting in Bayern’s comeback 3-1 win.

2

Erling Haaland

Excluding the obvious duo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the modern era hasn’t witnessed such a prolific presence as Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian already ripping it up in the new campaign.

A star for club and country, the 25-year-old arguably only ranks behind a certain Harry Kane as the continent’s finest number nine, scoring for the sixth time in the Champions League this season against Madrid.

1

Kylian Mbappe

Having somewhat upset the apple cart after joining then-holders Real Madrid last summer, Kylian Mbappe is back in the groove again under Xabi Alonso.

He may have missed the Man City clash through injury, but with nine goals in just five games, there’s no one better for the top spot.

Yamal this, Yamal that. The Frenchman is the greatest in the world right now.

Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings

Who will be lifting the individual honour in 2026?

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 6, 2025

The 2025/26 campaign has deepened and we now have a clear picture of how things are going. For Liverpool, improvements are needed across the board.

Arne Slot has cut a dismayed figure over the past several months, unable to grasp how his high-flying squad have been grounded so miserably. A run of six defeats from seven in the Premier League before the weekend win over West Ham United has cast doubt over his tenure.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, FSG are attentive to potential opportunities, and it’s no secret that Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo is at the top of the Merseysiders’ Christmas list.

Liverpool's winter transfer plans

While the thought of activating Semenyo’s £65m release clause next month is tempting, he is not the only talented (and versatile) winger on the market.

And Liverpool are not the only club looking to seal his signature. Semenyo is also on Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, with the latter “intensifying their interest”, according to Sky Sports.

But Liverpool have earmarked a number of potential signings, and Caught Offside have revealed that they have been boosted by Real Madrid’s transfer-listing of rogue winger Rodrygo for around €85m (£75m), whose fortunes at the Santiago Bernabeu have been sour for a while now, and is surely set for an exit in 2026.

Rodrygo has not been in good form for Los Blancos this season or last, but there remains a world-class talent in there, and he could finally reach his potential in a leading role at Liverpool.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

Rodrygo is one of the most talented forwards in the world. Rodrygo has also gone 30 La Liga matches without a goal.

It’s clear that he needs to leave Real Madrid and restore his reputation as a “world-class superstar”, as he has been called in the past by former teammate Luka Modric. This is a versatile and multi-faceted forward who has proved himself on the biggest stages time and time again.

Cody Gakpo is a consistent force down the left for Liverpool, but he’s not Sadio Mane, who was one of the best players in the world when in his prime. Now, Slot could land such a player in Rodrygo, who is out of sorts under Xabi Alonso’s wing but still, even at an ebb tide, ranks among the top 14% of positional peers for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The Brazil international hasn’t actually played that much football on the left flank, but that is his preferred position. Right-footed, he is at his most prolific when cutting inside and striking on goal, all the while retaining a creative flair that sets him apart from so many other talented wingers.

Right winger

148

34

31

Left winger

89

23

18

Centre-forward

85

22

8

Attacking midfield

4

–

1

Mane was also a versatile and dynamic forward, devastating in the final third. Now 33 and playing in Saudi Arabia, Liverpool have sorely missed their one-time talisman’s presence, accentuated by the sale of Luis Diaz this summer, who was never quite on his predecessor’s level.

Liverpool’s data analysts are among the finest in the game. They will know to overlook Rodrygo’s woes in recent times and look at the wider picture. For example, he scored only five goals in La Liga last season, but Sofascore show that he missed only one big chance, emphasising the kind of clinical, Mane-like returns Slot would receive.

Big boots to fill, but the South American is one of the most accomplished wingers in the game,

Rodrygo is still young – the same age, in fact, as Mane when the Senegalese completed his move to Merseyside.

The fact he has accomplished so much already is a testament to his quality and will to win. Liverpool could do with a bit of that, and if they bring such a complete and dangerous player to Anfield, it might prove to be the catalyst for sustained change.

He's like Arteta: Liverpool line up "best coach in the PL" to replace Slot

Arne Slot is under intense pressure at Liverpool after a shocking run of form.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Gabigol precisava converter sua cobrança para colocar o Cruzeiro na final da Copa do Brasil, mas cobrou fraco e Hugo Souza defendeu, posteriormente resultando na classificação do Corinthians. Veja o lance;

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores mandam recado a Gabigol após Corinthians x CruzeiroFora de Campo14/12/2025Lance! BizVeja quanto o Corinthians faturou com a classificação para a final da Copa do BrasilLance! Biz14/12/2025Fora de CampoEspecialista aponta erro grave de arbitragem em Corinthians x CruzeiroFora de Campo14/12/2025

Dorival Júnior chega à sua terceira final de Copa do Brasil em quatro anos, fazendo valer mais uma vez a sua alcunha de “copeiro”.

📲 Siga o Lance! Fora de Campo no WhatsApp e saiba o que rola fora das 4 linhas

➡️ Especialista aponta erro grave de arbitragem em Corinthians x Cruzeiro

Primeiro finalista da Copa do Brasil

O Corinthians bateu o Cruzeiro após ser derrotado por 2 a 1 no tempo normal e ficar a um pênalti da desclassificação. Hugo Souza, porém, pegou os pênaltis de Gabigol e Wallace, e Breno Bidon marcou o gol do 5 a 4 que rendeu ao time paulista a vaga na decisão. Na final, o time vai enfrentar o vencedor de Fluminense e Vasco.

Gabigol e Wallace perdem pênaltis, e Corinthians se classifica

Matheus Pereira abriu as cobranças e marcou. Yuri Alberto bateu o primeiro para o Corinthians, mas o goleiro do Cruzeiro defendeu. Wanderson colocou o Cruzeiro em vantagem e Memphis marcou o primeiro para os donos da casa. William cobrou e fez 3 a 1 para o Cruzeiro. Garro foi para a bola fazer a terceira cobrança do Corinthians e diminuiu para 3 a 2. Lucas Silva marcou o quarto do Cruzeiro e jogou a pressão para Vitinho, que não podia errar. O atacante cobrou no cantinho e marcou o terceiro do Timão. Gabigol precisava marcar para colocar o Cruzeiro na final, mas cobrou fraco e Hugo Souza defendeu. Gustavo Henrique cobrou na sequência, empatou em 4 a 4 e levou a decisão para as cobranças alternadas.

continua após a publicidade

Wallace, que entrou nos acréscimos, cobrou mal e Hugo Souza defendeu. Breno Bidon foi para a cobrança e marcou o gol da classificação, fazendo a Neo Química Arena explodir em êxtase.

Tudo sobre

ClassificaçãoCopa do BrasilCorinthiansGabigolPênaltis

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s innings against UAE saw him fall just six runs short of the India record for highest score in a youth one-day match, held by Ambati Rayudu

Shashank Kishore12-Dec-2025

Vaibhav Suryavanshi slammed a blistering 95-ball 171 in the Under-19 Asia Cup opener against UAE Under-19s on Friday. He fell just six short of Ambati Rayudu’s long-standing India record in youth one-dayers – the 177 against England in Taunton back in 2002.Suryavanshi, yet to turn 15, hit nine fours and 14 sixes during his innings, before being bowled attempting a paddle in the 33rd over of India Under-19s’ innings. They eventually finished with 433 for 6 after being put in to bat. In response, UAE could only manage 199 for 7, leading to a 234-run win for India and a Player of the Match award for Suryavanshi.Last month, Suryavanshi had smashed a 42-ball 144 – the joint-third-fastest century by an Indian in men’s T20s – against UAE at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha. He had got to his century off 32 deliveries that day, in the process recording the joint-sixth-fastest century in all men’s T20s.Suryavanshi – a certainty to feature in next month’s Under-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe – also recently slammed an unbeaten 61-ball 108 at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy to become the youngest century-maker in the tournament’s history.He had a breakthrough year in 2025, when he became the youngest to slam an IPL century, for Rajasthan Royals (101 off 38 balls) against Gujarat Titans. Having made history just a few months earlier – by becoming the youngest pick in an IPL auction at 13 – Suryavanshi featured in seven games in the 2025 edition, all as an opener. He made 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55.After IPL 2025, he was part of the India Under-19 squads that toured England and Australia. He smashed a 78-ball century in the first four-day fixture in Brisbane, and finished as the second-highest run-getter of the multi-day series against Australia Under-19s, scoring 133 runs in three innings as India won 2-0.Prior to that, he had amassed 355 runs at a strike rate of 174.01 in the one-dayers against England Under-19s.

India and Sri Lanka are set to play a five-match T20I series in the second half of December in India, just before the start of the WPL in January 2026. The series will be played from December 21 to 30, with the first two games in Visakhapatnam and the last three in Thiruvananthapuram.The WPL will then start from January 9 in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara for the second half, even though no Sri Lanka player is in any of the five WPL squads.The schedule of this bilateral series comes soon after the white-ball series between India and Bangladesh that was to happen in India in December got postponed earlier this month. That series was to feature three ODIs and three T20Is.The five T20Is between India and Sri Lanka will act as preparation for the T20 World Cup next year that will be played from June 12 in England. The last time the two teams had met in any format was at the ODI World Cup opener on September 30, while the previous T20I between them had come at the T20 World Cup in October 2024.India’s next series after the WPL will be an all-format tour of Australia in February-March.

Test hopefuls Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster missed out for Tasmania as Australia squad member Brendan Doggett claimed 5 for 66

AAP10-Nov-2025Australia’s top six for the first Ashes Test became no clearer after Tasmania duo Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster failed to stake compelling claims against South Australia.South Australia pacer Brendan Doggett, also in the 15-man Ashes squad for Perth, showcased why he is regarded as next cab off the rank for Australia with 5 for 66 in a superb exhibition of seam bowling on a green Bellerive Oval deck.Weatherald, hoping to make his Test debut as an opener, fell for 23 in Tasmania’s total of 209 after being sent in to bat.Allrounder Webster has been superb in his opening seven Tests for Australia but his desire to hang onto his No.6 position in Perth next week was not enhanced by his knock of 13. The 31-year-old missed a month of cricket at the start of the summer with a calf injury and made just 11 and six in his only other Shield appearance this season.His chances of featuring in the Australia side for the first Test in Perth could depend on whether selectors opt to bat Weatherald or Marnus Labuschagne as an opener. If it is the latter then Webster would stay at No.6 with fellow allrounder Cameron Green likely slotting in at No.3.Weatherald dispatched Liam Scott for back-to-back boundaries and was aiming for a third but chopped an attempted cut shot onto his stumps.Webster had just struck a fierce pull to the boundary before attempting to hook Henry Thornton. He only succeeded in getting a feather through to Alex Carey.Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk brought up his 6000th Shield run in his innings of 64. Silk was severe through the off side and brought up his 50 with a rollicking slap through point off Nathan McAndrew straight after he had caressed a cover drive to the boundary.Brendan Doggett took 5 for 66•Getty ImagesDoggett dismissed Silk with a full delivery that moved off the seam and was brilliantly caught by a diving Carey. He then ripped through the lower order for his second five-wicket haul of the Shield season.South Australia were 88 for 3 at stumps. Australia No.5 batter Travis Head made just nine before falling to Webster. Carey had raced to an unbeaten 25 off just 20 balls and will resume on Tuesday alongside Henry Hunt.Australia chair of selectors George Bailey said there was “still some information to gather” from the fourth round of the Sheffield Shield before settling on the playing 11 against England.Bailey said Weatherald, who was aggressive in his knock on Monday, had the approach Australia’s brains trust admired.”There is a method [about his batting] that we like and that is complementary to the other players around him in the squad,” Bailey said.”We have been chatting a lot to Jake. He has been in quite a few [Australia] A teams and there has been a lot of communication with him throughout the summer. The feedback has always been to keep doing it his way.”That is what is attractive to us, that he scores at a nice rate and puts bad balls away. He is aggressive with his outlook without being over the top.”

Real Madrid's defensive crisis has escalated into a full-blown emergency for manager Xabi Alonso after Sunday's chaotic 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, where star centre-back Eder Militao suffered a serious hamstring injury and defenders Fran García and Alvaro Carreras were both sent off, leaving Los Blancos decimated ahead of their critical Champions League clash against Manchester City.

• Bernabeu nightmare: Militao injury and red cards spark panic

  The 2-0 scoreline against Celta Vigo was a difficult result for Madrid, but a major talking point was the injury suffered by star centre-back Militao. The Brazilian pulled up clutching his hamstring midway through the first half, confirming an increasingly alarming situation at the heart of Madrid's defence. He could be out for around four months with a torn biceps femoris muscle in his left leg, according to , and the blow comes as a significant setback, coming just as Alonso needed his most dependable defenders available for a demanding run of fixtures.

  Militao’s importance to the side cannot be overstated. His pace, aerial dominance, and recovery skills are central to how Madrid defend, allowing the full-backs and midfield to operate higher up the pitch. His early departure immediately unsettled the side, a fragility only compounded later in the game by the rash decisions that led to red cards for both Garcia and Carreras. This trio of incidents has exposed a severe lack of cover and discipline, turning a potential speed bump into a major crisis of availability. As the team look ahead to crucial La Liga and Champions League clashes, the loss of Militao changes the entire complexion of their defensive strategy.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  An unprecedented shortage: Key defenders simultaneously sidelined

  Militao’s hamstring issue adds him to a treatment room already overflowing with world-class talent. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the high-profile summer arrival who was meant to revolutionise the right flank, remains sidelined with a persistent thigh injury that has severely disrupted his debut season. Veteran leader Dani Carvajal is out for the long term following knee surgery, removing a vital voice from the dressing room. Meanwhile, David Alaba remains a major doubt as he battles recurring muscle problems that have kept him out for weeks.

  The depth options are equally ravaged. Ferland Mendy is unavailable with his own fitness concerns, and young centre-back Dean Huijsen is struggling with a muscle strain picked up in training. When you factor in the suspensions of García and Carreras, the manager is left with Antonio Rudiger as his sole fit, senior centre-back. It is a defensive crisis that leaves the squad bare bones exposed, forcing the club to look at emergency measures just to field a starting XI.

• Alonso must move midfielders into defence

  The manager now faces the most difficult puzzle of his career so far. With no natural partners for Rudiger, Alonso must improvise radically against elite opposition. The balance of the entire team is now at risk.

  The most likely solution involves dropping a midfielder into the heart of the defence. Aurelien Tchouameni has filled the role before, but moving him out of the engine room deprives Madrid of their primary ball-winner. The Frenchman is uncomfortable with the positional nuances of the last line, and exposing him there is a significant risk. Alternatively, Alonso could deploy Federico Valverde in a deeper right-back or centre-back role, but this sacrifices the Uruguayan's relentless energy and goal threat further up the pitch.

  Reports suggest the coaching staff may even be forced to field a "Frankenstein" back four, potentially utilising academy product Raul Asencio alongside Rudiger. The lack of cohesion is the primary fear; a defensive line that has never played together relies on communication that simply has not been built yet. In the high-pressure environment of La Liga and Europe, one misstep or miscommunication between strangers at the back usually results in a goal.

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  Can Los Blancos survive the Man City test?

  The timing of this crisis is merciless. Real Madrid are staring down the barrel of a pivotal Champions League clash against Manchester City. The prospect of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden running at a patched-up Madrid defence is enough to keep any supporter awake at night. Guardiola will undoubtedly instruct his team to press the inexperienced or out-of-position defenders, looking to force errors in the build-up. Without Militao’s recovery speed or Carvajal’s experience, the Blancos backline will be vulnerable to City's rapid transitions.

  Alonso will at least have Carreras and Garcia available for selection against the English club, but his options remain depleted and both players will be out for their next La Liga match, causing further concern for a side sitting four points behind Barcelona in the Spanish top-flight.