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Quarantined Kroos adds to Real headaches ahead of crunch Bilbao clash

Madrid, May 14 (EFE).- Real Madrid will be without star midfielder Toni Kroos for Sunday’s crucial LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames.

The German midfielder is in quarantine after coming into direct contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, although the player has tested negative, the club said in a statement on Friday.

Kroos’ absence is the latest setback for coach Zinedine Zidane, whose squad is already missing captain Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vázquez, Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy through injury. Raphael Varane has also been missing for the past three matches with a thigh issue.

The German missed Real’s Thursday night match against Granada, which the champions won 4-1 to keep the pressure on LaLiga leaders Atletico de Madrid.

Real face a quick turnaround with a difficult trip to Bilbao, who beat them in the Super Cup earlier this season.

Zidane’s team needs to take three points back to the capital to stay within reach of the league leaders. Atletico are two points ahead, and have an easier run-in with a home match against Osasuna before traveling to relegation-threatened Valladolid.

Real Madrid host Villarreal in their last game of the season.

Real’s squad, which arrived home in the early hours of Friday morning after winning in Andalusia trained this morning at the Valdebebas sports complex, with the first-choice outfield players doing recovery work. EFE

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