Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender Militao looking forward to Jose Mourinho era: ‘I’m eager to train again’
Vinicius Jr. and Endrick are representing Real Madrid in the Brazilian national team at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, but they should ideally have been joined by two more players – Rodrygo and Eder Militao.
While the former suffered a devastating ACL injury, the latter faced a hamstring injury just when he seemed to be finding his feet back after the back-to-back ACL blows he recovered from.
Militao underwent surgery and thus missed out on the World Cup squad – something that would have been a guarantee for him had he managed to maintain his fitness.
Militao discusses Real Madrid new signings, Mourinho return
Eder Militao spoke to the media in a recent interview where he was asked about Real Madrid, his return, and his country’s chances at the FIFA World Cup.
He began by responding to Real Madrid’s new defensive signings and whether he saw their arrival as a potential threat to his place in the team.
“Everyone comes to help, they are great players. It is very good that those key players come to Real Madrid,” he began, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“They are excellent players. The more they come to help Real Madrid, it’s perfect,” he added.
Militao was then asked to give his two cents on Jose Mourinho, the new manager, whom he will report to once he returns from his injury.
“People know his story, he is one of the best coaches in the world. I’m eager to train again, to have the opportunity to work with him.”
Finally, the player was asked about Brazil’s run at the World Cup so far and how he saw the team at be playing at this point in the competition.
“It’s okay, they have grown during the competition. In each game, the players are evolving and that was clear to everyone.”
“From the first game to the last, there has been a very big evolution and we have to go to more,” he added.
When will Militao return?
For his recent hamstring injury, the Brazilian defender was forced to go under the blade, prolonging his period out of action and handing him and the club a massive blow.
Militao, however, continues to work hard to return as early as possible and there is hope that he can return relatively early into the new season.
Real Madrid do not expect him to be back in action until October, that is two months after the new season begins. Post that, he will still be reintroduced patiently so as to avoid any further relapses.
By the time he returns, the new manager will likely have a starting defensive pair seasoned as his first-choice, and it will thus be complicated for him to immediately fight his way back into the starting XI.
Real Madrid News
Rayo Vallecano manager names the one Real Madrid figure he would remove from the team
Rayo Vallecano face a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on a wounded Real Madrid this weekend.
Life after Inigo Perez has not been kind to the Vallecas-based club, who have already had to travel to Camp Nou and now face a trip to the home of their city giants.
Speaking ahead of the game (h/t Madrid Xtra), Rayo Vallecano manager Benat San Jose was asked which Real Madrid player he would like to remove from the team before this weekend’s game.
Surprisingly, his choice was not Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior or Thibaut Courtois.
“Mourinho”
Asked which Madrid player he would take out of the upcoming contest, Benat jokingly chose the man sitting on the opposition bench.
“Which Real Madrid player I’d remove from the match against them? Mourinho,” Benat said with a laugh.
The answer might have been delivered jokingly, but the Rayo coach immediately made clear just how highly he rates the Portuguese manager.
“He’s one of the best managers in history,” he added.
It is significant praise ahead of Saturday’s meeting at the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s squad contains enough individual quality to give any opposition coach several obvious answers, but Benat instead highlighted the influence Mourinho can have over the entire team.
That has become particularly relevant since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid. His early work has focused on making a talented group function with greater collective discipline.
Courtois and Madrid’s attack also praised
Benat did not stop with the manager.
“They also have one of the best GKs in history and one of the best attackers in history,” he said.
Benat will definitely have seen how Thibaut Courtois played against Inter Milan in midweek and will hope that version does not turn up again this weekend.
Even when teams manage to create opportunities against Madrid, they still have to beat one of the defining goalkeepers of his generation.
At the opposite end, Madrid possess attacking quality capable of turning a match on its head.
The likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can all decide matches single-handedly.
Madrid have a point to prove
Madrid are coming off a disappointing loss to Real Betis in La Liga last weekend and will come into this game with a point to prove.
They will want to ensure that the loss to the Andalusian club was a one-off and that they return to winning ways against Rayo.
Their title rivals, Barça, have been flying high in the league, scoring goals and picking opponents apart for fun.
Madrid need to ensure that they do not hand too much early incentive to Barça, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos fare against Rayo Vallecano.
