Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfield duo miss training ahead of Liverpool clash, Benzema trains alone
After a 2-0 victory over CA Osasuna, Real Madrid will restart their UEFA Champions League campaign this midweek when they take on Liverpool at Anfield.
However, heading into this trip, Real Madrid have been dealt with a series of injury and fitness issues, with Aurelien Tchouameni, for one, missing the midweek game due to flu. Toni Kroos, too, is out on the sidelines due to gastroenteritis.
According to Eldesmarque, neither Kroos nor Tchouameni trained with the group during the preparations for the Liverpool tie. This is a worrying sign for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has had to make several adjustments in the starting eleven in recent weeks.
Kroos’ experience and composure would have been invaluable to the Real Madrid team against a side like Liverpool. Tchouameni, too, had been a first-choice option for Ancelotti this season, but his absence means the Italian will have to make adjustments once again.
Fortunately for Los Blancos, Eduardo Camavinga has shown excellent form in recent weeks and is pushing for a start, whereas Dani Ceballos is currently in the form of his life.
Meanwhile, on the brighter side of things, Karim Benzema has trained alone and despite the lack of clear indicators over his fitness, it is perhaps safe to assume that the Frenchman will be in contention to become a part of the trip to Anfield.
Benzema’s return could be a big boost for Real Madrid, giving them adequate attacking firepower ahead of the tie against Liverpool.
Real Madrid, though, are set to miss out on Ferland Mendy once again. The left-back is closing in on full recovery, but he is not fit enough to be back on the pitch just yet.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder trained away from the group last week, but has no injury – report
With the international break underway, several Real Madrid players have been called up for national team assignments. The stars who have not travelled for international duty have continued to work at the club’s Valdebebas training facility to prepare for the restart.
Toni Kroos is one such player who has remained in Madrid, having retired from international football back in 2021.
However, there had been concerns growing around the 33-year-old’s physical condition as he regularly did indoor work last week and was not spotted in group training with his teammates.
Now, Sergio Quirante has come up with an update on Kroos’ situation, stating that even though the midfielder largely did individual work inside the facilities over the last week, he is fine and has no injuries.
Taking advantage of the international break, the former Bayern Munich superstar is understood to have gone through an individual program to prepare for the final, decisive stretch of the 2022/23 season.
Kroos not being injured comes as a big positive for Real Madrid, ahead of important games against Real Valladolid and Barcelona within the first five days of April.
The rest of the Real Madrid midfield contingent – Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Dani Ceballos – are all away on international duties and could return with some fatigue from the travel.
So, it is important that Kroos is fully fit and ready to go as Real Madrid look to cut down the gap to the top of the table in La Liga and also make it to the finals of the Copa del Rey by overturning a first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Kroos has played 37 matches this season, chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is still unclear whether he will renew or hang up his boots.
