Olympique Marseille have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening Champions League group stage match against Real Madrid, with Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd ruled out through injury.
The match will take place on Tuesday at 10:00 PM Cairo time at the Santiago Bernabéu, as the French side begin their European campaign against the 14-time champions.
According to French outlet L’Équipe, Aguerd will not travel with the squad to Madrid as he continues to follow concussion protocols.
The 28-year-old sustained a head injury during Marseille’s 4–0 Ligue 1 win over Lorient on Friday, a match in which he also scored his first goal for the club since joining from West Ham United this summer.
The setback comes just as Aguerd appeared to be settling in at his new team, cutting short what had looked like a promising start to life in Marseille.
On the other hand, the French club will welcome back captain Leonardo Balerdi, who missed the Lorient game due to a late return from international duty and a minor foot problem.
The Argentine defender is expected to feature in Monday’s pre-match press conference as Marseille prepare for their high-profile showdown with Madrid.
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