Real Madrid News
Real Madrid to play three friendlies before the season resumes – report
We are heading to the final phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with just a handful number of games remaining until we witness the final later this month.
With the return of club football just around the corner, clubs such as Real Madrid have started their preparation, beginning with the organisation of at least three friendlies ahead of their game against Real Valladolid on December 30.
This was revealed by Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos (h/t Mundo Deportivo), in his podcast. He suggested that the reigning Spanish champions are set to face three opponents in friendlies in an attempt to get their players up and running before the season restarts.
The first of the friendlies will be played against Castilla, the subsidiary squad of Real Madrid. This game will be comprised of players who have been working at the Valdebebas since the start of December.
Players such as Kroos, who did not take part in the World Cup, will be present, along with a mix of first-team and youth players who will be handpicked by Carlo Ancelotti himself, coming up against some of the stars of the RM Castilla unit that has produced a few gifted players in recent years.
The next two friendlies are considered to be ‘small games’ from Real Madrid’s perspective. The second friendly will be against Leganes while the third match will be played against Getafe, shortly before Real Madrid resume their campaign versus Valladolid.
The Spanish champions are expected to have many players back at their disposal by the time they face Getafe in the third friendly.
Although it is unlikely that all of the returning players will take part in the match, a majority of them could be fit to feature, including the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, who has recently announced his return from international football.
Marco Asensio is fighting for his future at Real Madrid. The 27-year-old winger is out of contract at the end of the season and there is no concrete decision made by the club over his renewal as of yet.
Some reports had suggested that the club had tabled an offer worth €4 million per year, which the Spaniard did not like as he sought a higher pay packet closer to around €6 million-a-year.
With his future a subject of intense speculation, Asensio had been linked with a move away to Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, closer to home, there were strong links to Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona. Indeed, the Catalans have been touted as potential suitors for Asensio for quite some time now due to the fact that he is represented by Jorge Mendes.
The superagent has close ties with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and reports in Spain have suggested that the Real Madrid winger has, indeed, been offered to the current La Liga leaders.
Amidst these speculations, however, Asensio has seemingly made it clear as to where his heart lies as he awaits a decision on his future.
During last night’s El Clasico against Barcelona, the Real Madrid winger came on as a substitute and went on to score a goal, following which he celebrated at Camp Nou, pointing to the Real Madrid logo on his shirt, showing where his allegiances lie.
The goal, however, was disallowed by the VAR, and Los Blancos ended up losing the game 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time winner by Franck Kessie.
Earlier today, Asensio took to Instagram and posted a picture of him celebrating with his finger pointing to the Real Madrid logo, reiterating his commitment to the club amidst the links to Barcelona.
As for his disallowed goal, it sparked an angry reaction from Carlo Ancelotti, who questioned the legitimacy of the decision made by the VAR during his post-match press conference.
