Real Madrid News
Alaves coach wary of Real Madrid threat despite their recent struggles
Real Madrid are set to take on Deportivo Alaves this weekend as they look to recover from midweek’s 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal
Heading into this game, Deportivo Alaves coach Eduardo Coudet offered his two cents on the affair and how it can possibly pan out, especially with Real Madrid struggling with form.
What Alaves coach said ahead of Real Madrid game
Real Madrid’s recent defeat to Arsenal has led many to believe that it will be easier for Alaves or any other La Liga team to defeat Los Blancos.
However, Coudet didn’t want to hear any of it and even put Real Madrid to a higher pedestal heading into this weekend’s clash.
“Regardless of the current situation, it’s Real Madrid and any player who starts is at the level of what that club can be, and the difficulties will be the same,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
The Alaves coach went on to suggest that his team will always take precautions no matter the opponent or their form.
Coudet even added that Alaves will continue to adopt a more physical approach to the Real Madrid game, as they have done with any other opponent this season.
“We’re a physical team. The numbers show it. We’ll try to be a physical team, and hopefully we can put on a great performance,” he admitted.
Talking about how to approach the Real Madrid game, the coach added, “If we let them
run around with space, it’s very difficult to counteract.
“A game isn’t just about defending or attacking. We have to be intense and not give their players time to think.”
Currently involved in a relegation battle, Coudet added that nothing is set in stone and his team needs to win every game if they are to survive the drop.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
