Kaka, Marcelo and Arbeloa out of Lyon clash
Reuters - Tuesday 01 November 2011, 16:44
Real Madrid's Kaka, Marcelo
and Alvaro Arbeloa have been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions
League game at Olympique Lyon, the nine-times European champions
said on their website on Tuesday.
The trio were not included in the Spanish club's 20-man
squad for the Group D clash due to minor muscle injuries.
Brazil playmaker Kaka has a bruised calf, his compatriot
Marcelo is suffering from a thigh problem and Arbeloa has an
injured thigh.
"It's a bit curious because I had planned to rest them a bit
against Real Sociedad. Marcelo is unfortunately out although he
did not play in San Sebastian," coach Jose Mourinho told a news
conference on Tuesday.
"Kaka played only 15-20 minutes but he took a lot of knocks.
I knew it would be complicated for Kaka but it's more of a
surprise for Marcelo."
Mourinho said that Raul Albiol would play in defence and
will wear a mask to protect his face after he suffered an injury
during a training session with the Spanish national team last
month.
Real, who crushed Lyon 4-0 at home two weeks ago, will
qualify for the first knockout round if they win at Stade de Gerland.
Lyon have injury problems of their own with defender Aly
Cissokho "very doubtful" with a thigh injury, according to coach
Remi Garde.