Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward ruled out for RB Salzburg game due to illness
Kylian Mbappe has been the big miss for Real Madrid so far in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
The Frenchman has missed the opening two matches against Al Hilal and Pachuca respectively due to a bout of gastroenteritis.
The situation appears to have only gone worse for the attacker, who was feeling better ahead of Pachuca game but could not feature against them.
Xabi Alonso claimed that he is hopeful of having the star striker back for Real Madrid’s final group stage game against RB Salzburg.
Mbappe ruled out for Salzburg game
However, in what could be a major blow for Real Madrid, it appears Mbappe has been ruled out of the Salzburg game.
This is according to El Chiringuito, which suggests that the Frenchman has not gotten any better and continues to struggle with gastroenteritis.
This could serve as a massive blow for coach Xabi Alonso, who has already had to make many adjustments to his team due to injuries.
With Mbappe ruled out once again, the Spanish tactician will likely count on the services of Gonzalo Garcia once again, as far as the number nine role is concerned.
Alonso, though, will be more excited about the output of Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham, two players who returned to form in the club’s latest win over Pachuca.
These two need to produce similar output against Salzburg, a much more sophisticated opponent, who know what it takes to take on one of the best clubs in Europe.
Real Madrid are slated to take on the Austrian giants on June 27 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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.
