Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran expected to be back in action after Spanish Supercup
At a time when Real Madrid have struggled with a lack of depth in the defensive unit, David Alaba’s prolonged absence from injury has been a major blow for the club.
Indeed, Alaba has been out of action for more than a year, missing 59 competitive matches in the process.
The Austrian had initially made solid ground on his road to recovery, but the process got delayed time and time again.
Alaba likely to return after Super Cup
However, a recent report from Diario AS has offered a fresh update on Alaba’s fitness, suggesting that the Austrian may soon return from injury.
As per the report, the veteran defender is entering the final phase of his recovery. His idea is to train with the team until the end of the year, which will help him regain some fitness and sharpness.
Alaba, after all, has been out of action for a while now and requires a bit of freshness, if he is to return to the pitch.
The report adds that Alaba could return to action after the end of the Spanish Super Cup which kickstarts in January.
Real Madrid begin their Super Cup campaign on January 9, when they take on Mallorca in the semifinals.
Alaba, therefore, may return to action sometime around late January, which is a timely return considering the fact that Real Madrid have a gruelling fixture list next month.
Alaba’s experience and presence in the dressing room, therefore, could serve as a major boost for the club.
Carlo Ancelotti, in particular, could welcome the return of the Austrian, having been forced to play Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back in recent weeks.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho denies El Clasico influenced Real Madrid changes vs RB Leipzig: ‘If it were another match, it’d be the same’
Jose Mourinho has explained his Real Madrid lineup changes for tonight’s UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig, insisting that his decisions are driven by fixture congestion rather than Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.
The manager has opted to rotate his troops heavily, benching the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Ibrahima Konate, Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella and Endrick.
The likes of Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Vinicius Jr. and Alvaro Carreras have come into the lineup.
While one might suspect that the changes may have been made with an eye on El Clasico later this week, Mourinho insisted that he made the alterations to keep his squad fresh while pursuing a strong result against Leipzig.
El Clasico is not behind Mourinho’s selection decisions
Mourinho rejected the suggestion that Sunday’s meeting with Barcelona directly influenced his team selection, explaining that the Leipzig game is simply the fourth match in a rapid sequence of fixtures.
“No. It is about one match. This is the fourth in a very quick sequence. El Clasico is on Sunday, but if it were another match, it would be the same,” he explained, as quoted by SPORT.
“I am trying to ensure that only a few players play all four matches, which is why I have made these changes,” he added.
Mourinho prioritises rotation as Real Madrid target top-eight finish
Mourinho also stressed the importance of the Leipzig fixture, pointing to Real Madrid’s ambition to secure direct qualification among the competition’s top eight teams.
“It is an important match. Yes, our objective is to qualify in the top eight. If we are aiming for direct qualification, there are still many points to earn,” he said.
“Playing at home today puts us in a good position that we have to take advantage of,” the Real Madrid manager added.
The manager’s selection reflects the need to balance immediate results with the physical demands of a tightly packed schedule.
Rather than relying on the same core group for every match, Mourinho is spreading the workload across his squad.
The changes give several players an opportunity to contribute against Leipzig while allowing others to avoid another full match ahead of a crucial weekend assignment.
Real Madrid face Barcelona with a six-point deficit to make up on Hansi Flick’s team, adding significance to the weekend showdown.
However, Mourinho’s comments indicate that his rotation policy is part of a broader effort to manage fatigue, rather than a decision made specifically to preserve players for the Clasico.
Mourinho’s approach makes sense during a congested schedule as rotating players can help limit fatigue and keep more of the squad involved, but it also carries the risk of disrupting rhythm in an important European fixture.
So, it will be interesting to see how the team fares tonight at the Santiago Bernabeu and whether Mourinho’s selection decision pays off.
