Real Madrid News
Real Madrid president dreaming of trident attack featuring €180 million-rated French starlet
Real Madrid have drawn a comprehensive roadmap for the upcoming summer transfer window and the club’s squad planning ahead of the new season, but as far as the club’s ambition is concerned, the objective is to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2024.
Real Madrid are expected to revolve everything around the idea of signing the PSG superstar next year, reports Alfredo Matilla and Sergio Santos.
As per the two Spanish journalists, Florentino Perez is envisioning a Real Madrid strikeforce comprising Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Mbappe.
The report points out that Real Madrid view the Frenchman as a realistic target as they expect him not to accept the option of extending his contract at PSG until 2025 next year. His fallout with the PSG has been already well-documented this year.
With Les Parisien seemingly failing to live up to Mbappe’s ambition, it could only be a matter of time before he opts to leave the club. To that end, Real Madrid will be prepared, especially at the end of next season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are starting to lose hope of signing Erling Haaland, because of the striker’s excellent relationship with Pep Guardiola which could keep him at Man City beyond 2024. Mbappe, therefore, has emerged as the top target for Los Blancos.
The potential strikeforce comprising Vinicius, Rodrygo and Mbappe could see Real Madrid operating in a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappe playing at the centre. It must be noted that the club are also involved in the pursuit of Kai Havertz.
The German could be an intriguing addition to this strikeforce – potentially making Real Madrid one of the most feared attacking sides in Europe. However, it remains to be seen whether or not Los Blancos can actually manage to pull the signing of Mbappe or Havertz in the near future.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho sticks to his Champions League tradition ahead of Real Madrid’s clash vs AS Roma
Real Madrid are set to take on AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in Italy.
Having returned from the international break with a 1-0 win over Villarreal, Los Blancos will be eager to build on it and record their second win in Europe, after beating Inter Milan last month.
Mourinho continues his tradition
And, as reported by Diario AS, the Real Madrid squad trained at Valdebebas before travelling for their Champions League fixture, just as they did during Jose Mourinho’s first spell in charge between 2010 and 2013.
The approach breaks with the usual Champions League routine of training at the opposition’s stadium on the eve of a match.
Real Madrid had largely remained an exception to this trend. Mourinho was the first to change the club’s established procedure, but after his departure in 2013, the routine had returned.
Now, the club are going back to the approach he introduced. Following the training session, the squad will fly to Rome in the afternoon.
Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa followed the same approach
Xabi Alonso revived the practice last season in order to avoid giving direct access to his team’s preparations to the opposition. After Alonso’s dismissal, Alvaro Arbeloa continued the practice.
The team travel to the opposition’s stadium for the press conference, but otherwise complete their preparations at Valdebebas before flying out a few hours later.
Exceptions are made when the journey is too long to make the routine practical, as was the case with Almaty. Rome, however, is a relatively short trip, allowing Mourinho to maintain his preferred schedule.
Real Madrid’s flight is expected to depart at around 15:00, with the pre-match press conference scheduled for 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Four expected absentees
There were no new injury concerns, with Real Madrid set to travel without four players, all of whom were already expected to miss the match.
Eder Militao has returned to group training but still needs time to regain match fitness. Meanwhile, Raul Asencio remains unavailable after undergoing surgery for a fracture in his right tibia.
Ferland Mendy is also back training with his teammates but is expected to need slightly longer than Militao before returning to action. Rodrygo remains a long-term absentee.
