Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will take a final call on midfielder’s availability for Atletico clash tomorrow
Real Madrid will play one of the biggest matches of their calendar this Sunday when they lock horns with neighbours Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
Diego Simeone’s Colchoneros were the only team to beat Carlo Ancelotti & co. last season and the reigning Spanish champions will be eager to exact revenge and get one over their local rivals in the derby.
Heading into the game, Real Madrid will be without some key players like David Alaba and Kylian Mbappe, along with Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz.
However, it appears that they will be welcoming Dani Carvajal back into the fold while there is some optimism surrounding Eduardo Camavinga as well.
Final call on Camavinga tomorrow
Camavinga is yet to play a single game this season, having suffered a knee injury a day before the UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta.
The 21-year-old midfielder returned to training on Thursday and did a part of the session with the group today as well.
However, a final call on his availability against Atletico Madrid will be made tomorrow, reports Mundo Deportivo.
Having a player like Camavinga ready and available to face the Colchoneros at the Civitas Metropolitano will be a huge boost for Ancelotti, especially if he plans on setting up with four midfielders on the night.
But a final decision on the Frenchman’s involvement will be made tomorrow by the medical department and the technical staff based on the youngster’s sensations.
If Camavinga is not fully fit and ready to play, Ancelotti would likely deploy Luka Modric in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
Jude Bellingham would return to the attacking midfield position he excelled in last season, with Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo forming the two-pronged attacking unit.
Real Madrid return to La Liga action against Rayo Vallecano with little room for another slip-up, and their opponents could be without several important players at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos arrive after opening their Champions League campaign with a 2–1 victory over Inter Milan.
Their domestic situation is less comfortable, though, after the defeat to Real Betis left them trailing Barcelona at the top of the table.
With Barça already putting together an impressive run, Real Madrid cannot afford to drop more points this early in the season.
Jose Mourinho will be looking for an immediate response when Rayo visit the capital.
The visitors, meanwhile, are dealing with a growing list of absentees.
Rayo Vallecano lose another forward
According to Mundo Deportivo, Rayo Vallecano will be without several players for the trip to Madrid, with Randy Nteka the latest addition to the injury list.
The Angolan striker suffered a muscle strain during training this week and is now expected to miss the match.
Rayo were already preparing for the game without Isi Palazon, who is recovering from a muscle injury. Goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is also unavailable after undergoing surgery for a fracture to his right tibia.
The absences do not end there. Fran Perez and Jorge de Frutos will both sit out after receiving red cards in Rayo’s previous league fixture.
Rayo manager Benat San Jose therefore faces some difficult selection decisions against a Real Madrid side that will be eager to build on its European victory.
More to the story
As per the outlet, there is also uncertainty surrounding Ivan Balliu.
The Albanian right-back picked up a heavy challenge in Rayo’s last match and his ankle is now badly bruised. San Jose has not ruled him out, but the defender faces a race against time to be fit.
“His ankle is badly bruised, but he’s a tough one and is doing everything he can to be fit.”
Real Madrid cannot afford another La Liga setback
For Real Madrid, the Champions League victory over Inter provided a positive response after the Betis defeat, but domestic consistency is now the priority.
Barcelona’s early form has already created pressure at the top of the table, making every dropped point more costly.
Rayo’s depleted squad should make life more difficult for San Jose, although Real Madrid still have to turn that advantage into three points.
