Real Madrid News
Ancelotti talks Vinicius, Haaland, Kroos, Camavinga, Benzema ahead of Cadiz vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid will look to bounce back to winning ways in La Liga after their debacle against Villarreal last weekend, when they take on Cadiz at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Saturday night.
Los Blancos suffered a 2-3 defeat at home against Villarreal, which all but ended their hopes of retaining the La Liga title. They did return to winning ways with a dominant 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League and will look to carry that form in the league encounter.
With Barcelona failing to defeat Girona on Monday, they are 13 points clear of Real Madrid at this point. With ten matches still left to be played, there is still a mathematical possibility that the Merengues can beat their arch-rivals in the race.
Ahead of the game against mid-table club Cadiz, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti interacted with the media, discussing several topics including the possible team combination and the fitness of some of his players.
On the Cadiz clash: “It’s a difficult game. Cádiz are in a good dynamic, they’re an intense team. The game comes in between the quarter-final tie, but we’re looking forward to a good performance.”
On whether he would swap Vinicius Jr for Erling Haaland: “No. What a question. They are two fantastic players. I focus on taking advantage of Vinicius’ qualities just as Guardiola is doing the same with Haaland. To each his own.”
On the possibility of facing Manchester City in the UCL semi-finals: “Anything can happen. City and we have the advantage, but we still have 90 minutes to play.”
On his future and the faith shown by Real Madrid: “The whole club shows me a lot of affection, I feel very comfortable here. The club doesn’t have to add anything more to what they already give me.”
On Vinicius Jr and Toni Kroos’ fitness: “Vinicius finished the game with an adductor strain, he is not injured. Kroos too, it was too high a risk, considering the game on Tuesday. Tomorrow we will have a competitive team. I think they’ll both be fit for Chelsea.”
On motivation for the remainder of the league campaign: “We still have a competition to respect and we have to do our best. If we can’t be first, we want second place. This shirt demands this kind of attitude.”
On the ratings for the team this season: “We have to wait until the end to give a mark. We have been successful in some competitions and less so in others. The evaluation can be very successful or a season with doubts.”
On facing criticism: “I listen to criticism, it’s normal. We live in a world where you have to listen to what the fans, the press, the club, the players think… There are criticisms that can be understood, others can’t… Criticism can help and give you ideas to be better at your job.”
On Manchester City being tipped as UCL favourites: “It doesn’t bother me. English football competes very well, at a high level. It doesn’t surprise me that they are favourites. There is a bit of a difference, but in Europe, it is proving the opposite. Spanish football took two teams to the semifinals last year, this year Italy has three in QFs.”
“European football is more competitive than people say. Premier League teams compete against clubs with less money, but the competition is still the same.”
On Eduardo Camavinga’s position: “The important thing for him in this period is that he progresses, whether he is a pivot or a full-back. It helps him to improve his tactical knowledge, he will be a great pivot in the future, but he can learn defensive things at full-back.”
On whether Eden Hazard will get an opportunity: “I don’t know if from the start, but he might get a chance to play.”
On the partnership of Eder Militao and David Alaba: “The performance of the centre-backs has improved after the World Cup. Militao and Rüdiger have done well and Alaba is back to his best, and the centre-back pairing, whoever it is, has given us a lot of confidence.
“We’ve played a lot of games with a higher block than normal. That’s where the centre-backs have to work harder.”
On Karim Benzema’s Pichichi Trophy race: “We are not thinking about it. Karim is fine. The management of minutes is for when we see him tired, but he is one of the players who has recovered the best since Wednesday.”
On his proudest moment at Real Madrid: “Difficult question. So far it has been a successful return. I hope I can continue. I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, although what I’m most proud of is coming here every day.”
On whether Florentino Perez wants him to stay: “I think he does. The president has always been very affectionate with me and he still is. We have to look forward. We will be here next season without a doubt because we are going to respect the contract.”
Source: Real Madrid Twitter
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.
