Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior (C) vies with Sevilla F.C.'s Loic Bade (L) during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
MADRID, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has good and bad news ahead of Sunday's La Liga game at home to Sevilla which sees a former player return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Central defender Antonio Rudiger is available for Madrid after missing the last two weekends with a muscle problem, and he will slot into central defense alongside Nacho Fernandez.
Rudiger comes back at the right time, with Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham and David Alaba still out and with right back Dani Carvajal and midfielder Eduardo Camavinga both suspended.
The bad news for Ancelotti is that center-forward Joselu will miss Sunday's match after the club confirmed he has suffered an ankle injury, that could sideline him for up to three weeks.
The striker has scored eight league goals this season, and Rodrygo will probably switch to a central position to cover his absence.
Sunday's game sees Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos return to the Bernabeu with Sevilla, with the 37-year-old playing in his former ground for the first time since leaving Real Madrid, after making 671 appearances between 2005 and 2021.
Madrid have confirmed they will hold a brief ceremony for Ramos ahead of the game.
The club from the south of Spain have recovered slightly since the arrival of Quique Sanchez Flores as their third coach of the season and two wins and a draw from their last three matches have lift them clear of the relegation zone.
Ramos' experience in defense has been important, but so has the form of young striker Isaac Romero, who has given spark to their attack. The return of Youssef En-Nesyri after the African Cup of Nations has also been important.
Real Madrid were below their best without Bellingham in recent games, though Girona's defeat in Bilbao last weekend means they still have a six-point lead at the top of La Liga. ■
Real Madrid's Toni Kroos (L) receives a yellow card during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Sevilla F.C.'s Sergio Ramos (L) greets UFC World Champion Ilia Topuria during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's players celebrate a scored goal during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Luka Modric (3rd R) scores a goal during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz (L) vies with Sevilla F.C.'s Lucas Ocampos during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti (R) receives a yellow card during the Spanish league (La Liga) football match between Real Madrid and Sevilla F.C. at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 25, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
