Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender could miss El Clasico through injury
We are just a week away before the season’s first El Clasico gets underway. It promises to be an exciting and rather consequential contest between two clubs, who have enjoyed an excellent start to their domestic campaigns.
For Real Madrid, a win against Barcelona could see them usurp the Catalans at the top of the league table. However, with a game against Shakhtar Donetsk awaiting them in midweek, there remains a layer of confusion as far as the team selection is concerned.
To that end, Carlo Ancelotti was asked to provide an update in regard to his potential starting eleven against Barcelona later this weekend.
The Italian was asked about the defensive personnel, in particular, following Eder Militao’s recent knock. Ancelotti, though, has appeared coy on the subject, adding that he is unsure of the defensive personnel that will feature against Barcelona next weekend.
“I still don’t know who will play vs Shakhtar! Militao has muscle contraction. Whoever plays in El Clasico, they will be good defenders,” he said (h/t Barça Universal) when asked about the defenders that will form the Real Madrid backline in El Clasico.
Militao’s muscle contraction could be significant for Real Madrid as the Brazilian international has proven to be the club’s defensive lynchpin in recent years. The defender also starred in Los Blancos‘ recent win over Getafe. He scored the winning goal while responsibly leading the backline to help Ancelotti’s men keep a valuable clean sheet.
His potential absence from the FC Barcelona game could force Ancelotti to deploy David Alaba at the heart of the backline.
However, with a week still remaining before Real Madrid lock horns with their arch-rivals, Militao will have ample time to recover from his knock and potentially return in time for El Clasico.
Real Madrid News
Harry Kane’s signing could complicate Real Madrid’s plan to sign Erling Haaland in 2024
Those sitting in the Real Madrid offices are aware that the team needs an emergency number 9. In this context, manager Carlo Ancelotti has already affirmed that they are working on some targets, although he decided not to reveal any names.
Now, what makes this operation trickier is that Madrid already have Erling Haaland on their agenda. The Manchester City forward is billed for the summer of 2024, meaning that any signing Madrid make this year will be extremely short-term.
A couple of days back, we reported that Ancelotti has made the signing of Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane his priority. The manager is of the idea that the England international will be the ideal candidate to provide competition to Benzema, whose physical fitness is now deteriorating.
As far as Kane is concerned, the Tottenham forward is rightly expected to leave and fellow Premier League side Manchester United happen to be interested in his acquisition as well.
It is not really difficult for Madrid to sign Kane, but the fact that Madrid already have Haaland in their plans is a problem, reports AS. At 29 years of age, Kane is not someone who would step down from his starting role when Haaland arrives.
Add to it the continuity of Benzema is yet another issue. All this means there is a high possibility that if Kane arrives, the team will overbook the number 9 position.
At the moment, there is a parade of names that Madrid are following, namely, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but nothing is certain at the moment.
What Madrid need is a short-term option, someone who is either willing to settle for a secondary role, even when Benzema leave/retires or is ready to come on a season-long loan to cover the position until Madrid sign Haaland in 2024. Either way, Harry Kane does not fit the bill.
