Real Madrid News
Rival watch: Barcelona could be handed a major injury boost before El Clasico
Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to lock horns with each other for the first time this season as they meet at Santiago Bernabeu this weekend.
It is a must-win game for Los Blancos, who have slipped to second in the league table, trailing their arch-rivals on goal difference.
However, heading into this game, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have been handed a major blow, as opposition defender Jules Kounde has returned in contention to feature in this El Clasico.
This has been reported by SPORT, who suggests the defender has made a quicker recovery than expected. He is in a position to even feature in Barcelona’s upcoming UEFA Champions League affair against Inter Milan. But the club have opted not to take any risks.
Kounde had picked up an injury during the international break. He has since missed out on quite three matches, including the crucial UCL encounter against Inter Milan, where Barça fell to a 1-0 defeat, while his involvement in El Clasico was also a major doubt.
The Frenchman, though, is now reported to be in contention to make his return against Real Madrid this weekend. The report suggests the defender could start for Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu, featuring as a right-back.
Kounde will be tasked with the responsibility of stopping Vinicius Jr out wide. His pace and athleticism on the flanks could serve as a breath of fresh air for a Barça team that has lacked a proper option at right-back in recent weeks, especially with Hector Bellerin also out injured.
While Kounde could return, Barcelona will still be without Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Memphis Depay for the game. Franck Kessie also remains a doubt for the trip to Real Madrid.
Ancelotti & co., meanwhile, do not have any pressing injury concerns heading into the game, with the manager expecting to have Thibaut Courtois back in time for El Clasico.
After a month into the new season, Aurelien Tchouameni is finally back in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman made his first appearance of the season for the Merengues last night against Inter Milan after recovering from the muscular injury that delayed his campaign.
His return to fitness had raised questions over where he would fit into Mourinho’s plans.
Tchouameni has been a regular in Real Madrid’s midfield for several seasons under different managers, but the end of last season was far less straightforward.
His confrontation with Federico Valverde, combined with speculation over his future at the club, created uncertainty about his position. His lack of a proper pre-season also appeared to put him behind other midfield options.
Bernardo Silva had established himself as an important figure, while Eduardo Camavinga was also ahead of Tchouameni in terms of match fitness.
With Real Madrid looking for greater creativity in midfield, there were questions over whether the Frenchman would still be a first-choice player.
Key for Mourinho
According to AS (h/t Bernabeu Digital), however, Mourinho has no such doubts. Tchouameni remains a key player for the Portuguese coach and is expected to be a starter.
Mourinho sees the French international as a midfielder without a direct replacement in the squad.
For Jose, Tchouameni provides something that none of the other midfielders in the squad do – a more defensive and positional presence, combining his tactical discipline with considerable physical strength.
His ability to shield the defence and provide balance could be particularly important for a Real Madrid side that want to defend aggressively and attack quickly in transition.
For that reason, his absence at the start of the campaign has not changed the manager’s view of his importance.
Mourinho faces a midfield selection problem
The challenge for Mourinho now is finding a way to fit all the pieces together.
If Tchouameni is guaranteed a starting position and Valverde is considered untouchable as captain, the obvious consequence is that Bernardo could find himself starting from the bench.
The summer arrival had been given an important role in helping Real Madrid control and distribute possession from deeper positions.
However, with Tchouameni and Valverde both occupying midfield places, Mourinho cannot accommodate everyone in the same lineup.
How the Portuguese coach manages that competition will be interesting to see in the coming weeks.
