Real Madrid News
“He would play even in a wheelchair” – Bayern Munich captain shares worrying update for Real Madrid
As the UEFA Champions League enters its most decisive phase, all eyes are now on the blockbuster quarter-final clash between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
The biggest talking point heading into the first leg, however, is the fitness of Bayern’s talisman, Harry Kane.
The England captain has been dealing with an ankle issue in recent days, raising serious concerns within the Bavarian camp.
His absence was felt during Bayern’s narrow 3-2 victory over Freiburg, a match he missed entirely.
With such a crucial European night approaching, Bayern’s medical team is now working relentlessly to ensure their star striker is ready.
Kimmich is confident
Despite the uncertainty, there is growing optimism within the Bavarian squad.
Senior figures at the club remain confident that Kane will recover in time to feature against the Spanish giants.
One of the strongest endorsements came from Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich, who made his feelings clear while expressing Kane’s importance to the team.
Speaking about the striker’s determination and influence, Kimmich said,
“I think he’d play even in a wheelchair. I reckon he’ll be able to play. He’ll crawl onto the pitch if he has to.
“I hope he’s fit for Tuesday. If I remember correctly, we’ve never won there, at least not since I’ve been here,” said the German.
Furthermore, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany also provided an update, offering cautious optimism while acknowledging the situation isn’t ideal.
Addressing the striker’s condition, Kompany explained,
“I’m optimistic about Tuesday. It’s not a pleasant or ideal situation.
“I’d like him to play against Freiburg tomorrow, but as things stand at the moment, that’s not possible.”
While Bayern wait anxiously, one thing is certain that if Kane is fit, it would be a massive problem for Real Madrid.
With an astonishing 48 goals and five assists across all competitions, he is ahead of Kylian Mbappeé in Europe’s scoring charts.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder uses the international break as a ‘pre-season’ to regain fitness and rhythm
According to AS, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has fully capitalised on the extended international break to regain his fitness and rhythm.
The French midfielder has been using the past two weeks to have the ‘pre-season’ he did not get during the summer with an injury.
There is still a third week to come, the one that is beginning now, and it will be the week when he gets the green light to complete his conditioning. But the signs have been excellent. In short, everything is going according to plan.
Tchouameni played in the derby against Atletico Madrid without being at his physical and sporting best. He was fully recovered from his injury, but lacked match rhythm.
After staying in Madrid during the international break, he has worked hard on what was missing. Now he is ready.
A key player for Mourinho
Tchouameni is a key player for the coaching staff, the player who is expected to provide stability to the team. He is important in the build-up and, above all, provides defensive strength.
That is inevitably a concern: Real Madrid have conceded nine goals in eight matches. The problem became bigger in the last two games as the Merengues let in two against Elche and two in the derby.
Tchouameni played in both the matches, but it was clear that he was short of training and needed more minutes.
And, France manager Zinedine Zidane decided to not call him up so that he can work on those things while staying back in Madrid.
A lot of hard work
These have been weeks of a heavy physical workload for Tchouameni with very few days off. While many of his teammates have been able to enjoy some time away, he has understood that these three weeks are about making up for lost time.
It is the specific preparation he could not do in the summer because of the injury he carried from the World Cup.
Inside Valdebebas, the message is that he has spent “hours and hours” working – many in the gym, many out on the pitch, combining sessions with his team-mates with individual, personalised work.
The focus has been on getting his physical condition back to where it needs to be.
Centre-back crisis
In the short term, the situation is serious. Villarreal are next for Real Madrid, and everything suggests that Tchouameni will start, possibly at centre-back.
Eder Militao is already working on the pitch but will not return until at least November. Dean Huijsen is suspended after being sent off in the derby, while Raul Asencio has just undergone surgery and will be out for at least three months.
And, Ibrahima Konate is being handled with caution after returning from the France camp with an injury.
Given the situation, Mourinho will have to choose between Tchouameni and a youth-team player such as Oscar Naasei, Joan Martínez or Mario Rivas to partner Antonio Rudiger.
That decision will come later. For now, Tchouameni is about making the most of the present. by going to Valdebebas, pushing himself, recovering his fitness, his confidence and his rhythm.
