Real Madrid News
Key Real Madrid duo step up recovery in bid to feature in El Clasico
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid are carefully managing the recovery of Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois ahead of the decisive El Clasico on May 10 against Barcelona.
Both players were absent from full training in the build-up to the clash against Espanyol, as the club prioritises having them fit for the trip to Camp Nou.
Their recoveries are being handled cautiously, with the medical staff focused on ensuring they are fully ready rather than risking setbacks before the key fixture.
Encouraging signs from Courtois
Courtois has shown encouraging signs in recent days. The goalkeeper recently completed part of a training session with the group, indicating progress in his recovery.
However, he has since returned to individual work to continue building fitness. Having been sidelined for over a month, his return is being phased carefully.
Despite not yet training fully with the squad, Courtois is already back on the pitch, working through demanding drills.
His routine includes explosive movements, impact-based exercises, and ball striking. The expectation within the club is that he will soon rejoin full training, with only a few days separating him from complete integration.
As things stand, there is strong confidence that Courtois will be ready in time for El Clasico.
The plan is for him to reclaim his place in goal against Barcelona, marking his return after a significant injury layoff.
What about Mbappe?
Mbappe’s situation is slightly different but equally promising. The forward was forced off during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis, raising concerns about his availability.
Since then, he has been undergoing recovery work away from full team training.
Like Courtois, Mbappe is not expected to feature against Espanyol, as the club is unwilling to take risks with such an important player, especially with the Clasico just days away.
Understandably, the focus remains on ensuring he reaches optimal condition for the Barcelona clash.
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
