Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid squad list to face Union Berlin | UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid will make the trip to the German capital of Berlin to lock horns against Union Berlin in the last round of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stages. The goal is to go six-for-six and end the group stages in perfect fashion.
Kepa Arrizabalaga returned from his injury against Real Betis, but was not given the nod over Andriy Lunin for the game. He is, however, expected to start in midweek, having recovered fully.
With Daniel Carvajal out for a few weeks with injury, Carlo Ancelotti has called up Vinicius Tobias to reinforce the defence. The Castilla right-back will likely start on the bench, with Vazquez getting the starting position.
Mario Martin, Nico Paz, and Gonzalo Garcia have will also be traveling with the first-team for this game, not for the first time this season, though.
Arda Guler is still not fit enough to play his first game for Los Blancos, and will have to wait for a few more weeks before he can make his debut.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga has begun training on grass, and could be the first of the injured players to make his return, but not before January.
📋✅ Our squad for the match 🆚 @fcunion!#UCL pic.twitter.com/kgH9oBpAgh
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 10, 2023
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
