Real Madrid News
NT coach points to Real Madrid for holding back key players – ‘They were willing to come, but…’
France coach Didier Deschamps has openly expressed his frustration with Real Madrid for holding back Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni from joining the national team camp on time.
The French squad began training last Friday ahead of their UEFA Nations League semifinal against Spain, but they had to do so without two key players.
Both Mbappe and Tchouameni are expected to arrive at the French camp on Monday. While Deschamps confirmed their arrival, he made it clear that he was not pleased with the situation.
Speaking to the media, he stated: “Kylian and Aurelien arrive on Monday at noon, and the seven other players who played in the Champions League final will come on Monday evening.”
Deschamps blames Madrid
Deschamps did not hide the fact that the delay was due to Real Madrid’s decision. According to him, both players were eager to join the squad earlier.
“Honestly, both players were willing to come this Friday,” he revealed. “But they (Madrid) are abiding by the rules, and the FIFA deadline is June 2. I won’t blame the players for doing what the club wants.”
Despite understanding the regulations, Deschamps clearly was not thrilled about starting preparations without two of his best players.
Mbappe, who is the captain of the team, also wanted to return earlier to be with the group. However, Real Madrid insisted that they join only on June 2, the official FIFA date when clubs are required to release players for international duty.
“I’m not going to put the players on the spot with their club. Kylian, as captain, wanted to be back with the group, but that’s the way things are,” he added.
Ultimately, Real Madrid’s decision, despite being within the rules, has not gone down well with the French manager, but there is absolutely nothing that can be done.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
