Luka Modric and Marcelo face month out as Zinedine Zidane dealt double injury blow at Real Madrid ahead of crucial period

REAL MADRID have been dealt a double blow as their season takes another turn for the worst.

Marcelo and Luka Modric were both forced off during their 2-1 victory over Malaga — and both are set to be out of action for around a month.

Zinedine Zidane can ill-afford to lose two of his key men at such a crucial point in the season.

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Their incredible 40-match unbeaten run came to a halt as they went down 2-1 at Sevilla, before losing their subsequent game at home to Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey.

Real Madrid’s lead at the La Liga summit has now been cut to just one point, and they face a difficult last-16 tie in the Champions League against in-form Napoli.

The duo will now be unavailable for the first leg.

Modric has become invaluable Los Blancos this season, and has formed a solid midfield trio with Casemiro and Toni Kroos.

While Marcelo is vice-captain and a player Zidane does not have a direct replacement for.

Gareth Bale, Pepe and Dani Carvajal are all also sidelined as the Real Madrid squad is getting seriously tested.

After one of the most incredible starts to any managerial careers for the Frenchman, which included victory at the Nou Camp, Champions League success, an incredible battle for the La Liga title and victory in the Fifa Club World Cup, he faces his biggest test so far.

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Sevilla and Barcelona are hot on their heels and Real Madrid failed to build a substantial enough lead during their unbeaten run to move clear of their rivals.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo will have a scan on a hand injury he picked up.

The four-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived at the Bernabeu with a bandage on before the clash with Malaga.