Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender a serious doubt for Rayo Vallecano clash due to hip overload
Real Madrid will face off against local rivals Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Monday night but could have to do so without star defender Antonio Rudiger.
According to journalist Mario Cortegana of MARCA, the German defender was not seen in training with the rest of the team earlier today and is a serious doubt for Monday’s match due to hip overload.
Rudiger joined Real Madrid in the summer and has made a solid impact since arriving, even though Carlo Ancelotti continues to prefer the centre-back pairing of Eder Militao and David Alaba.
The former Chelsea ace has made some vital contributions, including the last-minute equaliser against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League that salvaged a point for Los Blancos.
In total, the 29-year-old has played 17 times in all competitions for the Spanish capital club (ten starts), scoring two goals in the process.
He has made an appearance in each of Real Madrid’s 12 La Liga encounters this term, but is now at the risk of missing the upcoming encounter versus Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Vallecas on Monday night.
Rudiger was not the only player to miss training today as Karim Benzema also did not participate in the sessions. However, the Frenchman is expected to be involved in group training tomorrow and should be available for the match.
With Rudiger a serious doubt, Ancelotti will likely be forced to continue with Militao and Alaba as his centre-back pairing or he could decide to bring in Nacho for one of the former two.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool monitoring 19-year-old Bundesliga wonderkid – Romano
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all monitoring Bayer Leverkusen and Germany wonderkid Florian Wirtz.
After recovering from his ACL injury, the teenage sensation has been slowly working his way back to his best form. So far this term, Wirtz has managed to rack up a tally of two goals and six assists from 13 matches in all competitions.
The 19-year-old’s talent and potential have never been in question and hence it does not come as a surprise that elite clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on the German international.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Wirtz is capable of playing anywhere in the final third of the pitch and backs up with top-notch end product. Be it as a false-nine or in a more withdrawn role, the youngster has excelled for Bayer Leverkusen, catching the attention of top teams.
Real Madrid, for their part, are also understood to be among Wirtz’s admirers. Given the situation surrounding Karim Benzema’s fitness and the lack of backup at the top, the youngster could be an option, as he has shown potential while operating through the middle.
But Barcelona also have a strong interest in the teenager with reports even suggesting that they have already made contact with his father to enquire about his situation.
At the same time, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is understood to be a huge admirer of his fellow German and with Roberto Firmino on his way out, Wirtz could be lined up as a possible replacement.
However, Romano adds that the expectation is that Wirtz could stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more year and depart Germany once the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.
For now, there have been talks or negotiations with any clubs, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are all tracking Wirtz and his progress in Germany.
