Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender not ruled out of El Clasico despite not training with team today
The midweek UEFA Champions League encounter against Shakhtar Donetsk ensured Real Madrid’s progression to the knockout stages but came at a cost as Antonio Rudiger picked up a nasty facial injury.
The German international scored the 95th-minute equaliser for Los Blancos to earn the point that took them into the Round of 16.
However, he was involved in a collision with the Shakhtar goalkeeper while heading the goal, which left him with a deep cut close to his right eye. Rudiger needed as many as 21 stitches to close the gash.
Following the injury, the former Chelsea defender’s involvement in El Clasico has been cast into doubt.
With the monumental clash against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu just three days away, Melchor Ruiz of COPE is reporting that Rudiger did not train with the rest of the team today and the swelling around his eye has still not reduced.
Despite that, the German is not ruled out of El Clasico on Sunday. It is also stated that Rudiger is feeling well and that Los Blancos are studying various possible mask designs for the centre-back to wear in case he is deemed ready to take the pitch against the Blaugrana.
Rudiger joined Real Madrid only this past summer and has fared well so far in his time at the Spanish capital club.
The 29-year-old, though, is behind Eder Militao and David Alaba in the pecking order under Carlo Ancelotti and even if he is fully fit for Sunday, it is likely that he might be benched in favour of the former two.
But, with Militao himself having suffered a minor muscular issue last week against Getafe, Ancelotti will have some key decisions to make with regard to his defensive personnel for the blockbuster encounter versus Barcelona.
Apart from Rudiger, Thibaut Courtois is also a major doubt for the contest, with the Belgian yet to return to group training.
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid, the winger’s father has revealed following the UEFA Champions League clash between the two teams last night.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, exploded upon arriving at Napoli last year, leading them to the Serie A title on the back of his explosive performances.
The Georgian winger has been impressing in the ongoing campaign as well, although he failed to score or assist in either of Napoli’s meetings with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stages.
Kvaratskhelia has previously spoken about how he has always been a lifelong supporter of Real Madrid and grew up idolising some of the club’s legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Guti, among others.
Now, the 22-year-old winger’s father has revealed that his son has always dreamt of and continues to dream of playing for Real Madrid.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Kvaratskhelia’s father said: “Khvicha always dreamed and still dreams of playing for Real Madrid. I am sure about it.”
Talking about the fact that the winger got to play against Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia’s father added: “For Khvicha, playing vs Real Madrid was special. In my family, everyone is a Real Madrid supporter, except me.”
Real Madrid are in the market for attacking reinforcements, but they are looking for a centre-forward next summer and have Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland as their main targets.
As for Kvaratskhelia, whose market value stands at €85 million, it seems quite apparent that he harbours dreams of playing for Real Madrid. But it remains to be seen if there is some interest from Los Blancos in signing the winger.
