Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an adductor injury in Sunday's derby draw with Atletico Madrid, the Spanish champions have confirmed.
Courtois struggled to kick with his left foot in the latter stages of the match at the Civitas Metropolitano, where he was earlier targeted with projectiles by a group of supporters.
Atleti ultras group Fondo Sur launched objects including cigarette lighters at Courtois when he celebrated Eder Militao's 64th-minute opener in front of the home fans.
The teams were taken off the pitch for over 15 minutes in response to that incident, with Angel Correa's stoppage-time strike later salvaging a 1-1 draw for the hosts.
On Monday, Madrid released an update on Courtois' condition, confirming he had suffered an adductor injury in his left leg and would be monitored.
Spanish media reports subsequently claimed he could miss around two weeks, which would mean sitting out Wednesday's Champions League trip to Lille and a home league game versus Villarreal on Saturday.
After the subsequent international break, Los Blancos go to Celta Vigo on October 19 before facing Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona in two huge home games the following week.
Alonso 'honoured' to face Champions League heavyweights Milan
Bayer Leverkusen are "honoured" to take on a team with the pedigree of Milan, so says Xabi Alonso.
Milan made a poor start to the season, failing to earn a win in their opening three Serie A games while they also lost their Champions League meeting with Liverpool.
However, they have turned things around on the domestic front with three successive victories, including a 2-1 win over reigning Serie A champions and city rivals Inter.
Milan have won the European Cup/Champions League on seven occasions, and Alonso - who was part of the Liverpool side that famously overcame the Rossoneri on penalties in the 2005 final - says it is an honour to go up against one of the continent's great clubs.
"Fundamental for my career. After 20 years we still talk about that night," Alonso said.
"Then two years later we lost to Milan but that victory in 2005 was incredible. It was [nearly] 20 years ago, we have to think about tomorrow. Milan is still the history of the Champions League.
"I've always liked Milan. Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello, and great players, and to play against them is a great honour for us."
Despite Milan's inconsistent start to 2024-25, Bundesliga champions Leverkusen know to expect a stern test.
"It's one of those games when you have to play smart. With the ball, without the ball, you have to be patient, you have to be ready, you have to be focused," Alonso said.
"An Italian team is always dangerous. They know how to have patience. They are ready to defend low or to play with possession.
"Milan don't have to be dominant to be dangerous. Sometimes they have good possession, sometimes they have good counter-attacks."
Leverkusen won 4-0 away at Feyenoord in their opening Champions League match, and Alonso is relishing playing in Europe's elite club competition in front of the home fans on Tuesday.
"We're excited that the Champions League is back in our stadium," he added.
"That we're back in this competition and that we're playing our first home game against a huge club in the history of football."
Leverkusen are aiming to win their opening two games of a Champions League campaign for the first time since 2001-02, a season in which they would go on to reach the final.
New York City v FC Cincinnati: Cushing wants champions' mentality after derby rout
Nick Cushing credited New York City's resilience after they inflicted a crushing derby loss on the New York Red Bulls, calling on them to carry that momentum into Wednesday's meeting with FC Cincinnati.
NYCFC were routed 5-1 by the Philadelphia Union just two weeks ago, but they responded by thrashing their cross-city rivals by the same scoreline on the road on Saturday.
That result lifted them to fifth in the Eastern Conference and within one win of sealing a playoff place, something their next opponents Cincinnati have already done.
Reflecting on NYCFC's last result, Cushing said: "I've got some things to say about the 5-1 loss. A lot of the way that I see that game is in a boxing metaphor.
"I know there are many champion boxers that have been champion and have been knocked out in the first round, and they don't retire. They go back to the training ring.
"They go back to the gym, and they come back and become champions again. It's difficult and you have to accept it. Now our focus turns to Cincinnati."
Cincinnati, meanwhile, have seen their hopes of retaining the Supporters' Shield all but extinguished after losing 1-0 at home to Los Angeles FC last time out.
With the MLS Cup now the Orange and Blue's target, Pat Noonan is focused on getting the best out of star midfielder Luciano Acosta, who has been battling a niggling injury.
Noonan said of Acosta: "The more games he gets, the better going into the playoffs.
"He's had enough games and been back without physical limitations but obviously he did take that knock.
"A lot of times our attack does go through him and when he's on it, he's on it. It's just about us trying to find good spots for him."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City – Alonso Martinez
Martinez netted twice in NYCFC's derby rout of the Red Bulls last time out, pulling further clear at the top of the club's scoring charts for 2024 with 14 MLS goals.
He also has five goals in New York's last three regular-season home games, last failing to net in such a match in late June.
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Acosta has 28 goal involvements (12 goals, 16 assists) in MLS this season, a tally only bettered by Portland Timbers star Evander (29 – 15 goals and 14 assists).
No player can match Acosta's 98 chances created in the league this year, though, and he will be key if Cincinnati are to seriously challenge for the MLS Cup in the coming weeks.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Cincinnati saw their four-game unbeaten run in MLS play (two wins, two draws) brought to an end with their defeat to LAFC last time out.
They have gone unbeaten through their last five MLS matches against NYCFC, winning three and drawing two while outscoring their opponents 12-6 in those games.
However, NYCFC have only lost two of their last eight MLS games on home soil (four wins, two draws), versus the MLS Cup holders, the Columbus Crew, and the Union. A draw could be on the cards on Wednesday.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City – 36.7%
FC Cincinnati – 37.1%
Draw – 26.3%
Charlotte FC v Chicago Fire: Visitors playing for pride after playoff elimination
Frank Klopas is keen for the Chicago Fire to end the season on a high note despite being eliminated from the playoff running, as they prepare to visit Charlotte FC on Wednesday.
A 1-1 draw with Toronto FC last weekend left Chicago on 30 points with two regular-season games remaining, bottom of the Eastern Conference and seven points adrift of the playoff picture.
They have now gone seven seasons in a row without making the playoffs, and with games against Charlotte and Nashville SC to come, are simply playing for pride.
"It's frustration because there was a slim chance and of course, you fight until the end," Klopas said. "Now that chance is gone and it's disappointing for all of us.
"But we're professionals and we have to regroup and finish strong. We have two games left and we have to go on the road and try to get a result to at least finish on a positive note."
Charlotte, on the other hand, occupy the East's final guaranteed playoff spot and boast a five-point cushion to their closest rivals after drawing 1-1 with Inter Miami last time out.
Dean Smith was delighted with the way they restricted Lionel Messi and company in that match, saying they had been working on an alternate gameplan for some time.
"We went there with a gameplan to restrict them centrally and make them go around the outside of us," Smith said.
"They got through a couple of times but our production with the ball was really good. I do still think there's more to come on that, small details, but it was a pretty open game.
"That's something we've been working on, building as a back three and being comfortable on the ball, and we caused them problems all night."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang
Agyemang was limited to the role of substitute versus Miami but did score in Charlotte's last home game – a 4-0 thrashing of the New England Revolution.
His eight goals in MLS this year is a team-high tally and he will be desperate to reach double figures before the season ends.
Chicago Fire – Brian Gutierrez
Chicago's lack of firepower has cost them in the playoff race, with the Fire only netting once in their last three MLS matches. Gutierrez, who has created a team-high 39 chances this season, could come into their lineup and have a positive impact here.
MATCH PREDICTION – CHARLOTTE FC WIN
Chicago have a simply terrible record on the road of late, losing five of their last six away matches in all competitions (one draw) including their last two in a row.
The Fire have lost six of their last eight away matches in MLS play since beating Toronto FC on June 16, and they also went down 1-0 to Charlotte on home soil in May.
With the visitors having little of substance to play for and Charlotte still looking over their shoulders in the playoff battle, the hosts go in as favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Charlotte FC – 57.3%
Chicago Fire – 20.5%
Draw – 22.1%
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