Carlo Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid star’s injury problem after Milan

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to hook Federico Valverde from the club’s meeting with AC Milan prematurely.

Real, of course, marked their return to action last night.

Turning attentions back towards matters on the continent, Los Blancos welcomed Italian giants AC Milan to the Spanish capital for a Champions League showdown.

And, when all was said and done at the Santiago Bernabéu, the recent concerns on the part of the club’s fanbase only mounted further.

This came as Milan emerged on the right side of a thoroughly deserved 3-1 result.

Amongst those to have featured from the off for Tuesday’s hosts was the aforementioned Federico Valverde.

An ever-present in the engine room raks of Real Madrid, it therefore marked a major surprise when, just 45 minutes in, the Uruguayan was hooked from proceedings.

Speaking to the media on the back of the full-time whistle, the subject of Valverde’s withdrawal was therefore put to manager Carlo Ancelotti.

And the Italian tactician went on to reveal that his star midfielder has been struggling with a back injury for several days now:

“Valverde’s substitution? He suffered a problem in his back days ago. He wasn’t fine in the 1st half.”

Conor Laird – GSFN