Real Madrid News
Rival Watch: AC Milan forward could be available to face Real Madrid
As Real Madrid prepares to face AC Milan in their upcoming UEFA Champions League match, the Italian side has experienced some exciting news regarding player availability.
A report from Milan News has revealed that two of Milan’s key players, Luka Jovic and Davide Calabria, participated fully in training yesterday, suggesting they could feature in the clash against Real Madrid.
Following a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Napoli, AC Milan quickly shifted their focus to their next fixture against Monza, set for Saturday.
While Calabria made it to the bench against Napoli, he was not risked by the Italian side, but things could change by next week.
The return of Jovic and Calabria is certainly encouraging for Milan as they seek to strengthen their squad ahead of this crucial match against one of Europe’s top teams.
Both players are expected to be available for selection, providing Milan with added depth and experience.
Tammy Abraham certain to miss
Additionally, there is positive news regarding Tammy Abraham, who is making progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during a recent match against Udinese.
The England forward has been unable to play since suffering what is believed to be a dislocated shoulder. He participated in the initial part of the training session with his teammates at Milanello before stepping aside to focus on individual exercises.
His return, although unlikely, would be a significant boost for Milan as they look to regain their momentum.
Despite these positive updates, AC Milan must confront the reality of their recent form, which has been far from satisfactory.
They have managed to secure only four victories out of their nine league matches this season, and their overall performance has been inconsistent.
In fact, they have only won two of their last five encounters, highlighting the challenges they face as they prepare for a high-stakes match against Real Madrid.
As they approach this important UEFA Champions League fixture, Milan will need to harness every ounce of optimism they can muster. Facing Real Madrid will require Milan to elevate their performance significantly.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho reacts to Vinicius suspension: “Why announce it two hours before an important match?”
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the RFEF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to announce Vinicius Jr.’s four-match suspension just hours before their UEFA Champions League meeting with AS Roma on Wednesday.
The Brazilian has been hit with a four-match ban for his red card against Villarreal, meaning he will miss the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
And, speaking to Movistar+ (h/t MARCA) before the match, the Real Madrid manager was asked whether the punishment could affect the Brazilian psychologically.
Mourinho instead turned his attention to the football authorities and the timing of their announcement.
“I think that is a question for the Committee. Why have they announced the suspension at this particular moment? If you are asking me this question, it is presumably because you think it could affect him,” the Portuguese coach replied.
“You should ask the Committee why they did not announce it this morning, or tomorrow morning. Why do they do it two hours before a match that is important for Real Madrid, which is a Spanish club?” he added, questioning the timing of the decision.
Mourinho explains his tactical approach against Roma
The Real Madrid manager also outlined his plan for facing a Roma side known for their aggressive pressing.
“My intention is to stop them from pressing us so high up the pitch, given the players we have available and as a precaution,” he said.
Continuing, the Portuguese manager added: “They press man-to-man higher up the pitch better than anyone else, and we will see whether we can take advantage of that. If not, they will have to drop their press five or ten metres.”
Why Rudiger over Huijsen
Mourinho also justified his decision to start Antonio Rudiger at centre-back alongside Ibrahima Konate rather than Dean Huijsen.
“They played very well together in the last match, Rudiger and Konate, showing great leadership and the ability to withstand a difficult situation when we had ten men for 30 minutes,” he said.
“I am not saying Dean is not capable of playing a match like this, but this is a wonderful atmosphere for Roma and a difficult one for us. I think a player with Antonio’s experience can be important,” Mourinho added.
Finally, Mourinho was asked about his emotions ahead of returning to face Roma, the club he managed between 2021 and 2024.
The Portuguese coach offered a brief response, saying that he had his feelings about the occasion “blocked”.
