Michael Essien To Miss Uefa Champions League Semi-final First Leg With Booking

Posted On Tuesday, 9th April 2013

Michael Essien will miss the first leg of semi-finals if shown yellow card

Michael Essien will miss the first leg of semi-finals if shown yellow card

Michael Essien will miss the first leg of the semi-finals of the Uefa Champions League if he’s booked against Galatasary on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old picked up his second yellow card during the first leg, meaning a further cautioning will see him miss the first leg of the last four.

The Ghanaian international is expected to be retained in his unfavourable left-back position after excelling heavily at the same position during the first leg encounter at the Bernabeau.

Madrid are without a number of key players including Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos who are suspended for the tie, while Kaka is out with a leg injury sustained at the weekend.

Iker Casillas is fit again after breaking his left thumb on January 23, returning to the bench on Saturday, but Diego Lopez is expected to get the nod in goal.