Real Madrid News
La Liga winger who tormented Barcelona recently looks up to Real Madrid superstar
Granada’s 22-year-old forward Bryan Zaragoza tormented Barcelona very early during his side’s recent 2-2 draw against the Blaugrana.
As a result of this draw, Barcelona remain third in the table and Real Madrid still have a three-point lead at the top of the tally as we approach another international break.
Now, it goes without saying that Zaragoza’s brace against Barcelona was extremely crucial, but what comes in as a surprise is that he says he tries to emulate Real Madrid frontman Vinicius Jr.
While speaking to Radioestadio Noche after the game, the 22-year-old forward said: “When I was a kid I used to look up to Neymar a lot; now I look up to Vinicius.”
“I opened Instagram and I had like 5,000 more followers, crazy,” he said.
Barcelona’s loss a pleasure for Real Madrid
After conceding the league title to Barcelona last season, Real Madrid needed a strong start and while they have lost a game already, the fact that Barcelona have played three draws is working in their favour.
Heading into the Granada fixture, Barcelona had the opportunity to narrow down the deficit to just one point, but Zaragoza seemed to have other ideas.
The 22-year-old scored his side’s first goal inside 30 seconds before scoring another a minute before the half-hour mark.
Right now, the ball is in Real Madrid’s court, and with a three-point lead heading into the international break, the team from the Spanish capital will only hope none of the internationals return with a knock as they are already short-staffed in defence.
The first El Clasico of the season later this month becomes extremely crucial at this point and if Real Madrid maintain their lead until then and then defeat Barcelona, they would already have a big advantage in the La Liga title race.
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.
