Real's Marcelo to miss Dortmund clash

Brazilian left-back limped off in first-half of Madrid's 1-1 draw with Villarreal on Wednesday

MADRID: Real Madrid left-back Marcelo will miss the European champions' huge Champions League clash at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday due to a calf injury.

The Brazilian limped off in the first-half of Real's 1-1 draw with Villarreal on Wednesday and is expected to be out for at least two weeks. "He has been diagnosed with a grade two muscle strain in the soleus muscle of his right calf," Madrid said in a statement on Friday. "His recovery will continue to be monitored."

Marcelo will miss Saturday's trip to Las Palmas and Eibar's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend.

"It is always worrying when someone gets injured, even more so when they are first choice players," said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Friday.

He is also a major doubt for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela next month.

Midfielder Casemiro is also set to miss Brazil's qualifiers after he was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his left fibula which will rule him out for three weeks.

Casemiro has become a vital player in balancing Madrid's midfield since Zidane took over as coach in January to balance the more attacking roles enjoyed by Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

"There is no other player who plays like Case," added Zidane. "Hopefully the injuries aren't severe and they return with us. We have a big squad."