Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender goes off on stretcher, picks up potentially season-ending injury
Goals from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr helped Real Madrid register a much-required 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday night at Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos were in the driver’s seat for the majority of the game and appeared set to close the night with three points highlighting their outing.
The game, however, took an ugly turn at the very end.
Playing in extra-time, Dani Carvajal got into an unfortunate collision with Villarreal star Yeremy Pino, extending his knee with full force to win the ball against the Spaniard.
Unfortunately, however, the Euro-winning defender over-extended his knee as part of the action and immediately went down in excruciating pain.
The player was seen writhing on the field in serious pain and was inconsolable.
He made an effort to get back onto his feet but could barely bear any weight on his leg, immediately going back to the ground and eventually leaving on a stretcher.
Afterward, Carvajal was spotted in tears on the ground.
Concern for Real Madrid
Carvajal’s injury appeared serious in every sense of the word and as is the norm with knee injuries, he may well face a few months on the sidelines.
Carlo Ancelotti and co. are already without several key members this season and will hope that the right-back can return to action swiftly with a miraculous recovery.
On a more pragmatic note, however, the primary concern is whether the player has damaged his cruciate ligament or patellar tendon, both of which will require surgery.
Tests carried out tomorrow will confirm the prognosis.
Needless to say, the spotlight now falls on Lucas Vazquez who must take up a more important role in Ancelotti’s plans if Carvajal has indeed suffered a grievous injury.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
