Real Madrid News
Carlo Ancelotti experiments with two players in Real Madrid training – report
With the new season starting in less than a month left for the new season, Carlo Ancelotti has a big task on his hands. The manager must find a role in the team for both new arrivals and some players who were not a big part of his dynamics last season.
However, the question arises, what could one possibly change in a La Liga and UEFA Champions League winning side to make them better?
According to reports from Mario Cortegana, Ancelotti has begun testing new combinations to make the team more efficient. Yesterday, the team had a training match where the squad were divided into two lineups.
The most striking takeaway from the lineup was Eden Hazard playing as a false 9. The former Chelsea star played slightly behind Rodrygo Goes and Marco Asensio and anchored the play from the spaces behind.
Further, the coach gave Aurelien Tchouameni a start alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to see how the youngster would fare in Casemiro’s place. In further news, David Alaba played as a centre-back while Odriozola started as a left-back. Here are the teams from the training match:
Team 1: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Odriozola; Ceballos, Casemiro, Camavinga; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius
Team 2: Lunin; Lucas, Nacho, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Asensio, Hazard, Rodrygo
At the end of last season, Hazard made a promise to Los Blancos fans that he would do everything in his capacity to return to his best form next season. The Belgian has looked fit and motivated so far and will look for a redemption season ahead.
Meanwhile, Tchouameni is the club’s latest blockbuster signing and is expected to take over the reins in defensive midfield from Casemiro for years to come.
The world will get its first glimpse of Ancelotti’s side this season when they take on Barcelona on Saturday. Needless to say, the Champions of Europe will be out seeking revenge for their humiliation last season, even if it is just a friendly.
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.
