Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender back training normally after back problems – report
Real Madrid were given an early injury scare on their pre-season tour of the United States of America. On Thursday, veteran defender Dani Carvajal pulled up with a back problem and was unable to complete the team’s first training session in the US.
However, in a positive update, Arancha Rodriguez is reporting that the experienced right-back has returned to training normally today, which will come as a huge sigh of relief for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have already been hit with an injury heading into the new season as Dani Ceballos sustained a hamstring issue which has ruled him out for around six weeks. As such, the midfielder has not travelled to the US for the pre-season camp and will miss the start of the season.
The Spanish capital giants would have been keen to avoid another similar situation with Carvajal. And thankfully for them, the 31-year-old has not had any major damage and is back training with the group normally today.
Carvajal has been the undisputed starter at right-back for Real Madrid for years now. The Spanish international remains a key part of Ancelotti’s setup as indicated by the fact that he played 45 games in all competitions last season, registering five assists in the process.
Real Madrid do not have a natural right-back as a backup option for Carvajal, even though Lucas Vazquez has proven to be a reliable operator in the makeshift role.
Either way, the veteran defender’s swift recovery is good news for Los Blancos as they step up their preparations for the new campaign.
Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho wants more attacking options at Real Madrid despite reaching 500-goal milestone
Jose Mourinho wants Real Madrid to become even more dangerous in attack, despite reaching a significant milestone during their 4-3 victory over AS Roma.
According to MARCA, it has come to light that Antonio Rudiger’s goal against Roma helped Mourinho’s Real Madrid reach 500 goals under his management.
However, the achievement has not changed the Portuguese coach’s desire to add more variety to his team’s attacking play.
In fact, Mourinho wants a side capable of controlling possession, launching rapid counter-attacks and creating danger from set pieces, all without losing the defensive discipline that defines his approach.
Mourinho targets attacking variety at Real Madrid
Real Madrid already have considerable firepower at their disposal, with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., Yan Diomande, Arda Guler, Carlos Espi and Endrick, giving Mourinho several attacking options.
On top of that, the injured Rodrygo would provide another high-quality alternative once available.
Hence, the challenge is not only to score more goals, but to make Real Madrid less predictable.
Mourinho wants his forwards to exploit their pace in transition while ensuring the team can also break down opponents through patient build-up play.
Set pieces are another important part of his plans, as combining those threats with defensive organisation would give the team more ways to control matches and punish different types of opposition.
Mourinho reaches 500 goals for Real Madrid
Rudiger’s strike against Roma carried added significance because it took Mourinho to 500 goals in 188 matches as Real Madrid manager.
That works out at an average of 2.66 goals per game, the best return among club managers who have overseen at least 50 matches.
La Liga accounts for the largest share, with Real Madrid scoring 345 goals in 122 matches.
They have added 92 goals in 38 Champions League games, 55 in 24 Copa del Rey matches and eight in four Spanish Super Cup fixtures.
Their biggest victory during this spell came in the 2010-11 Copa del Rey, when Madrid beat Levante 8-0.
This season, though, the team are averaging 2.5 goals per match.
Mourinho wants more from Real Madrid’s attack
The numbers underline Real Madrid’s scoring power, but Mourinho is looking beyond the milestone.
His ambition is to build a more versatile attack that can adapt to different opponents rather than rely solely on individual brilliance or quick transitions.
With Mbappe and Vinicius offering pace and penetration, and several other options providing different qualities, Madrid have the personnel to develop that flexibility.
Hence, the next step is making those strengths work together consistently.
Mandla
July 21, 2023 at 8:03 pm
We need another fullback and no 9. Forget mbappe now. Maybe next year.
Lucien
July 22, 2023 at 10:40 am
Madrid needs a young prolific striker and a young promising speedy right back. Carvajal needs competition at right back and Vazquez isn’t the answer. Don’t get me wrong, Vazquez has done well at times, but the experiment needs to end, it’s gone too long. The whole back four needs to get tighter when defending.