 "La Liga: Real Madrid's Pepe suffers double rib fracture in draw against Atletico")
Madrid: Real Madrid face a defensive crisis ahead of huge clashes against Bayern Munich and Barcelona after Pepe suffered a double rib fracture in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid.
Pepe opened the scoring with a towering header seven minutes into the second half but then had to be replaced after clashing with teammate Toni Kroos.
“He has been diagnosed with a fracture in the seventh and eighth left ribs,” Madrid said in a statement.
The Portuguese defender is expected to be sidelined for up to a month.
Madrid are already set to miss central defender Raphael Varane for the rest of the month due to a hamstring injury.
The European champions face Bayern in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
Bayern then travel to the Spanish capital for the second leg on April 18 before Real host Barca in a potential La Liga title decider on April 23.
 "Why Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid want Xabi Alonso as their next manager?")
 "Action against officials for playing favourites, no electioneering at places of worship: EC's directives ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls")
 "Karachi-bound ship stopped at Mumbai over suspicion of carrying cargo for Pak's nuclear programme")
 "Google reinstates some delisted Indian apps on Play Store")
 "Why Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid want Xabi Alonso as their next manager?")
 "Action against officials for playing favourites, no electioneering at places of worship: EC's directives ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls")
 "Karachi-bound ship stopped at Mumbai over suspicion of carrying cargo for Pak's nuclear programme")
 "Google reinstates some delisted Indian apps on Play Store")