Real Madrid News
Real Madrid summer signing a doubt for Champions League clash against Inter Milan
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid could be without key defender Marc Cucurella for Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan.
The Spanish left-back was forced off late in the defeat to Real Betis with muscle discomfort.
The injury is not believed to be serious, but the timing leaves the World Cup winner facing a race against the clock to be fit for one of the most important matches of the early season.
Cucurella suffers late setback
Cucurella has seemingly established himself as Jose Mourinho’s preferred option at left-back and appears to have moved ahead of Alvaro Carreras in the pecking order.
However, the former Chelsea defender was unable to finish Saturday’s match against Betis after suffering cramps in the closing stages.
The problem is not currently considered serious, although there is concern over whether he will recover quickly enough to feature against the Nerazzurri at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the players being given the day off today, Real Madrid will return to training on Sunday, when Cucurella’s condition will be assessed more thoroughly.
Growing list of absentees
Cucurella could join an increasingly long list of players unavailable to Mourinho for the Champions League fixture.
Aurelien Tchouameni, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch and Endrick are among the players currently dealing with injuries, although there is still a possibility that Tchouameni or Endrick could recover in time.
Mourinho must also contend with suspensions as Arda Guler, Bernardo Silva and Eduardo Camavinga are unavailable for the Champions League opener
The growing list of absences leaves Real Madrid with limited room for manoeuvre as they prepare for their first Champions League match of the campaign.
The timing could hardly be worse for Mourinho. Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season against Real Betis, meaning Tuesday’s meeting with Inter has taken on even greater significance.
Inter Milan arrive in Madrid as Italian champions, making the Champions League opener a major test for Mourinho’s side.
The next few days will determine whether Cucurella can recover in time. If he fails to make it, Mourinho will have another selection problem to solve as Real Madrid look to respond immediately to their first setback of the season.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
