Real Madrid News
Getafe manager laments Real Madrid superstar’s injury ahead of game: “A differential player”
Real Madrid will step onto the grasses of Santiago Bernabeu for the first time this season on Saturday.
After three exhausting games on the road, the men in white will be determined to keep the momentum going in front of their home crowd.
Yet, it will be far from easy for Los Blancos to take all three points on the night. After all, they face Jose Bordalas’ Getafe, a side that has proven to be a thorn in the foot of several top teams in recent seasons.
Ahead of his team’s clash against Real Madrid, the Getafe manager spoke to the media about a plethora of topics. He began by explaining what made it difficult to face a team like Real Madrid and what he expected from the clash.
“Facing Real Madrid is always very difficult. We have to play a great game and hope that they don’t have a good day. We’re preparing with the best intentions, we’re counting on that, and we’ll try to make it difficult for them,” Bordalas said.
Los Blancos will not have Vinicius Jr. available on the night after the Brazilian injured his thigh last weekend.
Bordalas refused to celebrate the superstar’s absence and said he expected an equally gruelling game even without the star player.
“He is a differential player. We would like him to be there because he is always a very special attraction, but Real Madrid have top-level players and their coach will put a top replacement for him,” he said.
Bordalas has always been an open admirer of Carlo Ancelotti and his methodologies and was asked if he had recently interacted with the Italian tactician as part of his press conference.
To that, he replied: “We haven’t had the chance to talk, but it’s always a pleasure to face Real Madrid and Carlo. He is a great coach and a great colleague.”
Source: AS
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.
