Real Madrid have been handed a major blow ahead of their UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund as their key player, Aureilien Tchouameni, will miss the climax of the tournament, confirmed head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Friday.
Tchouameni, who has played 38 matches for Los Blancos this season, did not lose a single match as a starter all season and his absence will be greatly felt by the Whites as they will be playing to claim their record-extending 15th Champions League title.
Talking ahead of their last league game against Real Betis, Ancelotti confirmed that Tchouameni will not be ready for the Champions League final and his participation in the upcoming Euro 2024 is a matter of doubt as well.
"He [Tchouameni] is doing individual work but he's not ready for the (Champions League) final," Ancelotti told reporters during a presser. "Let's see if he's ready for the Euros.”
Ancelotti then talked about Toni Kroos, who will play his last match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, saying that it will be difficult to replace the German.
"I don't think it was a difficult decision for him. Veteran players, and legends, have to choose their destiny. Toni has made that decision and it must be respected," Ancelotti said.
"We have to say goodbye to him as best we can. I respect his decision. Saying goodbye like this would be ideal. Then you have to have the courage to do it and I have a lot of respect for what he has done.
"Replacing someone like this is almost impossible, but this squad has resources in young people so that they take responsibility and follow the path set over the last 10 years."
It is worth mentioning that Madrid have already won La Liga this season and with one more match — against Real Betis — left in the league, they could finish with 99 points this season if they win their last outing of the season at Santiago Bernabeu.
Remember, Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final on June 1 at England’s iconic Wembley Stadium in pursuit of their record-extending European championship.
If Madrid managed to beat Dortmund, this would be their eighth Champions League title since 2000, more than any team in the world.