Mourinho Excludes Unfit Essien From Squad To Face Dortmund

Posted On Tuesday, 23rd April 2013

Michael Essien has been left out of Real Madrid's squad to face Dortmund

Michael Essien has been left out of Real Madrid’s squad to face Dortmund

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has left out Michael Essien from his 23-man squad to Dortmund in the Champions League. 

The versatile player failed to recover from a muscle strain he picked up during their quarter-final return leg match against Galatasaray.

Essien trained alone on Monday but could not win the fitness battle to play in the semi-final first leg tie.

The on-loan Chelsea player was a first choice to play at right-back with suspension of Alvaro Arbeloa.

He had impressed in the makeshift role in recent times for the Madridistas.

Essien’s inability to recover would mean, Sergio Ramos will return to his former position.

Real Madrid Squad: 

Goalkeepers: Casillas, Diego López, Adán and Jesús.

Defenders: Varane, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Coentrão, Albiol, Carvalho and Nacho.

Midfielders: : Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Özil, Kaká, Modric, Callejón, Di María and Casemiro.

Strikers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Higuaín and Morata.