Real Madrid News
Injury update: Real Madrid forward could return in time to face Barcelona
The upcoming El Clasico presents Real Madrid with a solid chance of running away to a spot in the Copa del Rey final. Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona will be without some of their most important players on the night, and though there will be a leg to come, a big enough lead could settle the tie.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are not without their own worries ahead of the game. David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo Goes all continue to be injured, but there is some hope around the Brazilian.
According to reports from Jose Luis Sanchez, Rodrygo trained with the first team today and is very close to returning to the squad. However, a final decision regarding his participation on Thursday will only be made tomorrow.
The youngster has been one of Real Madrid’s most improved players this season and has come up clutch innumerable times on the biggest of stages.
Notably, he also scored against the Blaugranas earlier this season when the two sides met at Santiago Bernabeu.
Rodrygo’s availability on the night may not have much bearing on the starting lineup as the manager would like to avoid starting him immediately after injury. In such a circumstance, he would almost certainly come off the bench as an impact substitute.
Instead, the Italian tactician will resort to the working formula of deploying Federico Valverde as the right-winger against Barcelona. The Uruguayan International has a good history against the Catalans and will look to menace the weakened opposition.
The second leg of the semifinal is scheduled to kickoff at the Camp Nou in early April. It will be the second Clasico in three weeks at the same venue, as the two rivals lock horns once on March 19th in a La Liga clash.
Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid star will be fit for Valladolid clash despite national team withdrawal
Real Madrid have been greeted with some positive news on the injury front as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit and ready for the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Valladolid.
The 30-year-old custodian had flown away for national team duty with Belgium and played the full game against Sweden last week. However, the Real Madrid ace was sent back to the club over the weekend due to a minor adductor strain.
This raised concerns over the former Chelsea star’s condition, especially with a busy period lying ahead for the Merengues.
However, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic has eased any nerves surrounding his situation, reporting that Courtois was subjected to tests upon returning to Spain and there is no reason for worry.
The report states that Real Madrid expect their No. 1 to be fit and available for their next game which will be against Real Valladolid in La Liga on April 2, Sunday.
It is further stated that the knock Courtois sustained was not a new one and that the 30-year-old had felt discomfort in the same area during Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
Courtois has featured 32 times across all competitions this term, having missed a few matches due to fitness issues. He has managed just ten clean sheets and will be hoping to add to that against Valladolid, now that is reportedly fit to feature at the weekend.
In another boost, reports earlier today indicated that Toni Kroos does not have any injury after concerns were raised due to the midfielder doing individual training sessions over the past week.
