Real Madrid News
Rival watch: Barcelona midfielder to miss Real Madrid clash after surgery
In a little over a month, Real Madrid will host arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the 2025/26 season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Both teams have made a solid start to the season and will be hoping to keep building momentum leading up to the blockbuster encounter on 26 October.
Real Madrid are set to be without two key players for the game as both Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been sidelined for a considerable period through injuries.
Now, it appears that Barcelona will also be without an important player for the Clasico.
Gavi likely to miss Real Madrid clash
Indeed, Barcelona midfielder Gavi is set to miss the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid next month.
The Spanish international underwent arthroscopic surgery earlier today to address the issue and is expected to be out for a period of four to five months as per the club statement.
MEDICAL NEWS
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 23, 2025
First team player Pablo Páez Gavira 'Gavi' has had an arthroscopy to resolve a medial meniscus injury, which was sutured to preserve the meniscus. Recovery time is estimated at around 4-5 months. pic.twitter.com/IvLzWYR7jC
“First team player Pablo Páez Gavira ‘Gavi’ has undergone an arthroscopy to repair the injury to his internal meniscus. It has been sutured in order to preserve the meniscus. The recovery time is estimated at around 4-5 months,” the statement read.
The 21-year-old midfielder has been out of action since late August, due to a troublesome knee.
Having opted for conservative treatment for the past few weeks, Barça and the player finally decided that surgery was the best way forward earlier this week.
A recovery period of 4-5 months means that the La Masia midfielder will not make it back in time for the Real Madrid clash on 26 October.
Apart from Gavi, Barcelona will also be without their first captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is a long-term absentee after undergoing back surgery during the summer.
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”.
