Real Madrid Not Ruling Antonio Rudiger Out of Facing Barcelona in El Clasico

• Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger could wear a mask to feature in the El Clasico against Barcelona over the weekend
• Rudiger sustained the head injury as he rescued Los Blancos from suffering their first defeat of the season with a last-minute header
• His goal ensured the Spanish outfit became one of the only two sides to secure early qualification to the round-of-16 stage of the Champions League last night

Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger could be fit to face bitterest rivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish LaLiga on Sunday.

The German international, who scored the equaliser for Los Blancos against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night, was left with blood streaming from his head after clashing with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

The LaLiga champions needed just a point in their reverse tie against Shakhtar to seal an early qualification to the next phase of the Champions League.

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Rudiger converted a deep cross from Toni Kroos, but he took a heavy knock in the process, with the central defender picking up a deep cut to his forehead.

He needed 20 stitches for his sickening head injury, after bravely scoring the 95th-minute equaliser last night.

Taking to his Instagram stories in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw in Warsaw, the ex-Chelsea stalwart wrote: "We alive"

Per sports journalist Jose Luis Sanchez, Rudiger's head injury is not serious as it seems as he did not suffer any bone issues in the challenge.

This means the former Chelsea stalwart defender could potentially be available for selection for this weekend's El Clasico.

The Spanish reporter further suggested that ex-AS Roma could wear 'a protective mask' against Barcelona.

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Meanwhile, Real Madrid maintained their unbeaten status heading into El Clasico with another impressive result in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk, Marca reports.

Antonio Rudiger scored a 95th-minute equaliser for Los Blancos to rescue a point for the Champions League holders, against the Ukrainian giants on Tuesday night.

Real Madrid will be seeking to overtake Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table if they can get a win against Xavi’s men at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Both teams are currently tied on 22 points.

Latest Photo of Antonio Rudiger Shows the Real Madrid Defender Can’t Open His Eye After Head Injury

Sports Brief earlier reported that Real Madrid centre-half Antonio Rudiger is still unable to open his left eye after suffering a gory head injury during his side's Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night.

Rudiger, who bravely rescued a point for Madrid at the detriment of his health, had his shirt drenched with blood following the injury.

Los Blancos needed just a point in their reverse tie against Shakhtar to seal an early qualification to the next phase of the Champions League.