Real Madrid News
Champions League build-up: Man City without key defensive partnership for Real Madrid clash
All eyes will be on the Champions League next week as blockbuster clashes await fans on the pinnacle of European football.
Barcelona have been pitched against PSG, while Bayern Munich will take on Arsenal in two modern-day UCL classics. Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund promises a ton of entertainment, too.
Perhaps the biggest game of them all, though, is defending champions Manchester City locking horns against record-winners Real Madrid.
And while it is difficult to pick out a favorite for this game, Real Madrid have been handed a major boost for this game, but on rival watch.
Man City missing key duo
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have travelled to Spanish capital Madrid without Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker, both of whom picked up injuries across the last fortnight.
While Ake went down with a calf problem against Arsenal on 31st March, Walker’s injury came while on international duty with England. He went down injured in the first-half vs Brazil at Wembley and had to be replaced by Ezri Konsa.
Josko Gvardiol and John Stones , though, have been deemed fit for the game and is part of the travelling squad.
Who will be Vinicius up against?
Walker’s injury, especially, is a huge blow for Guardiola’s side as the English right-back was key last season to keeping Vinicius Jr quiet in the second leg, even though the Brazilian ended up scoring in the first one.
Guardiola could resort to using Rico Lewis as his right-back, but John Stones, who has played as a right-back on several occasions could be an option, too.
Ruben Dias’ spot in the backline is pretty much fixed, though, and depending on Gvardiol’s fitness, Guardiola will likely choose between him and Manuel Akanji as the other option.
This could mean Man City start with Bernardo Silva and Rodri as the double pivot, while Kevin de Bruyne takes on the no. 10 position behind Erling Haaland.
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.
