Real Madrid will have to cope with the loss of defensive linchpin Fernando Hierro after the club captain was ruledout for six week with knee ligament damage.

The 34-year-old defender limped off during Real’s 4-1 victory against Real Betis at the Bernabeu on Satuday after partially tearing a right knee ligament.

Hierro will definitely miss the Champions Borussia Dortmund and Milan’s visit to the Spanish capital on 12 March and may miss the entire second phase of the Champions League.