Real Madrid News
Real Madrid heavyweight set to return from injury against Pachuca – report
Real Madrid got the Xabi Alonso era underway on Wednesday night with a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Merengues went into the game with both of their summer signings – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen – making their debuts.
However, Alonso was without a host of important players as Kylian Mbappe missed out due to a flu while the likes of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Antonio Rudiger did not feature as they are still recovering from their injuries.
Rudiger to return soon
But there is some good news on the horizon as MARCA reports that Rudiger is all set to return for Real Madrid’s next game against Pachuca.
The Merengues are set to take on the Mexican outfit in their second Group H game of the Club World Cup on Sunday night. And the belief is that Rudiger will be fit and ready to play in time for that game.
The 32-year-old German international had been dealing with a knee issue for a good part of the last year but had been playing through the pain barrier.
However, after the Copa del Rey final defeat, when he was handed an extended ban, Rudiger and Real Madrid decided for him to undergo surgery to address the problem.
Manager Alonso spoke about the defender’s situation before the Al-Hilal game, saying:
“Rudiger made a tremendous recovery; he’s the first, the idea is that he’ll probably be in the second game. The others need a little more time.”
Now, everything points towards Rudiger making his comeback for Real Madrid in the next game against Pachuca.
It is, however, unlikely that he will be thrown into the starting lineup right away, with Alonso expected to ease the veteran central defender back into action.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho does not want Real Madrid new signing to be affected by price tag, will continue slow integration
Real Madrid had an explosive summer transfer window with as many as six new big signings coming through to strengthen the first-team squad, while Sergio Martinez was also roped in with an eye on the future.
Up until Friday, things were going well for Jose Mourinho & co., but the 1-0 loss to Real Betis has put the team under the scanner once again.
Questions are being asked, in particular, of the club’s most explosive signing, Yan Diomande.
Mourinho not changing plans with Diomande
However, according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, Mourinho will continue with the plan of integrating Diomande slowly into the team.
The Real Madrid boss does not want the 19-year-old winger to be negatively affected by his massive price tag this summer and the pressure generated because of it.
After all, Los Blancos shelled out an enormous €125 million plus €15 million in add-ons to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Should all the variables be met, he will become the most expensive signing in Real Madrid history. And, naturally, such a price tag brings with it a great deal of pressure.
As such, Mourinho wants to make sure that the Ivory Coast international is not affected in any way by the talk around his price tag and will continue to ease him into the team without rushing things.
Only a handful of minutes for Diomande
So far, Real Madrid have played four La Liga games this season and Diomande has not started even one of them.
Instead, Mourinho has opted to field Arda Guler on the right wing in three matches while Brahim Diaz started in the remaining one.
As for Diomande, he has come on as a substitute in each of the four games, but has only racked up a total of 83 minutes, without scoring or assisting a goal so far.
But, his limited minutes and slow integration are seemingly a part of Mourinho’s plans who is intent on not overexposing the teenage winger and put him under undue pressure due to the expectations that come with his price tag.
