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Injuries hamper Real Madrid's plans away to PSG

Xinhua, October 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid's injury worries continue to rise as they prepare for Wednesday's Champions League clash away to Paris Saint Germain, which should go a long way to deciding which of the two sides will finish top of their qualifying group.

Both teams have six points from their opening two matches, while the other sides, Shakhtar Donetsk and Malmo have lost both of their games. That means that barring disaster both Real Madrid and PSG should reach the last 16 with few problems, but the side which tops the group should get an easier draw in that round and have the advantage of playing the return leg in their home ground.

Real Madrid travel to Paris on top of the BBVA Primera Liga, but they will be without Gareth Bale for the trip after it was confirmed that the Welshman had suffered a calf injury during Saturday's win over Levante.

Karim Benzema is also a doubt with a hamstring problem, while James Rodriguez is also sidelined. The good news is that Luka Modric, who didn't play at the weekend, should have recovered, while Sergio Ramos will also have recovered for what should be a fascinating battle against Zlatan Ibrahimovich.

Atletico Madrid are also in action on Wednesday and Diego Simeone's side can afford no slip-ups when they entertain Astana in the Vicente Calderon Stadium. Atletico lost their last home game, which was at home to Benfica and on Tuesday UEFA announced Atletico have been fined 20,000 euros (around 22,000 euros) for security defects in the game, while Benfica were fined 30,000 euros for the behavior of their fans, some of whom threw flares at opposing supporters.

Wednesday also sees Sevilla play and Unai Emery's side will take on Manchester City in the Ethiad Stadium. It is perhaps Sevilla's most difficult game, but they have the slight consolation that City are without star players, Kun Aguero and David Silva, although the leaders of the Barclay's Premier League can still call on such talent as Raheem Sterling, Wilfred Bony and Kevin de Bruyne, as well as former Sevilla winger, Jesus Navas, who will face his former club for the first time ever. Endit