Real Madrid officials and fans had hoped that Dean Huijsen would be fit to play against Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 playoff.
However, according to The Athletic, the Spanish international of Dutch descent has not yet fully recovered and will not be available for Wednesday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Huijsen is suffering from a muscle injury in his right calf, which has kept him out of Real Madrid’s last four matches in all competitions, leaving coach Álvaro Arbeloa with a clear defensive crisis.
The 20-year-old’s recovery is progressing very well, but Arbeloa and Real Madrid’s medical staff do not intend to rush him back for fear of a relapse.
Huijsen did not participate in Real Madrid’s final training session before Tuesday’s match against Benfica, confirming his absence from the game. Hopes are high that he will return for Monday’s match against Getafe.
Real Madrid will also be without Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, and Eder Militao against Benfica due to injury, as well as Rodrygo Goes due to suspension.
Real Madrid won the first leg at the Estádio da Luz thanks to a Vinicius Junior goal, but they go into the return leg after a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
