Real Madrid News
Ancelotti not planning to use new signings for Real Madrid’s Super Cup clash
The Helsinki Olympic Stadium will witness the UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid take on the Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt on the 10th of August in the UEFA Super Cup.
The Super Cup clash will be Los Blancos’ first competitive game after the Champions League final in Paris and also provides them with their first chance of claiming silverware this season.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana of MARCA, Ancelotti wants to prioritize and play those players on the night who featured against Liverpool in Paris.
This would imply that Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger would likely have to wait until the start of the La Liga campaign to make their full competitive debuts.
The manager’s decision is understandable because the new signings were not a part of the squad that overcame all odds to win the Champions League. It would only be just to reward the same core of players with an opportunity to double their European success.
One could expect the veteran trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro to feature against Eintracht Frankfurt in midfield, with the combination of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde deployed in the final third.
In defence, the manager will likely bench Rudiger for a David Alaba-Eder Militao partnership in the centre. The outfield will be completed by Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal at left-back and right-back respectively.
The new signings could come on as substitutes on the night, but their participation is not confirmed. If the manager decides against using them at all, they will have to wait until August 14th to make their debut when Real Madrid take on Almeria in La Liga.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
