Real Madrid News
Boost for Real Madrid as key Barcelona forward ruled out of Copa del Rey semi-final
Ahead of this week’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, Real Madrid have received a huge boost as their opponents, Barcelona, will be without star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Indeed, according to journalist Toni Juanmarti, the 34-year-old superstar picked up a knock during Barcelona’s La Liga clash against UD Almeria on Sunday night, which they lost 1-0.
While more tests will be conducted on the Poland captain to determine the extent of his injury, early signs indicate that he will be out of action for a period of 14 days.
It means that Lewandowski will miss Barcelona’s cup semi-final first-leg encounter against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, which will take place on Thursday night.
This is certain to come as a huge blow for the Blaugrana and a big boost for Real Madrid as Lewandowski has been the main source of goals for Xavi Hernandez’s side this term.
Indeed, in 31 matches across all competitions, the 34-year-old has scored 25 goals and set up six more for Barça this season.
Lewandowski had registered an assist in this season’s first El Clasico in La Liga back in October. Following that, he had scored and assisted a goal apiece as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia last month.
The striker’s absence, thus, will come as a boost for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they head into the semi-final of the Copa del Rey later this week.
Apart from the Pole, Barcelona will also be without Pedri and Ousmane Dembele, but Ansu Fati could return in time for the midweek clash.
Meanwhile, the report adds that Lewandowski could be back in time for Barça’s second meeting with Real Madrid in March, which will take place in La Liga at Spotify Camp Nou.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
