Real Madrid News
Rival watch: Manchester City key defender picks up injury vs Arsenal ahead of Real Madrid clash
Less than six hours ago, Pep Guardiola was quoted complaining about their football calendar as compared to their Champions League rivals Real Madrid, and how they will get three days to prepare for the game, while Carlo Ancelotti’s side get nine.
The Spaniard also mentioned how Madrid will play today and then not again until the first leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. City, on the contrary, are playing Arsenal today, Aston Villa in three days, and then Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Pep’s complaints, while not directed at Real Madrid, are understandable to an extent, especially given Man City lost Kyle Walker and John Stones to injury during the international break while they went to represent England.
And if that was not enough, City have been dealt with a huge blow during their game vs Arsenal right now.
Nathan Ake off
Guardiola fielded Nathan Ake in central defense alongside Ruben Dias, but the Dutchman picked up what looked like a calf injury in the first-half, and had to hobble off for Rico Lewis around the 27th minute.
Ake has been a key piece in City’s defensive puzzle, starting 19 out of the 23 games he has played so far this season. He has played both as a centre-back, and a left-back this season, shuffling with Josko Gvardiol, who arrived from RB Leipzig this summer.
The Dutchman also has two goals and two assists to show for his efforts, but interestingly enough, only three clean sheets.
Ake played both games for Netherlands during the international break, as well, and if Man City were not playing Arsenal, of all clubs, today, he would have likely been rested.
Either way, unless Ake is able to miraculously recover in time, all signs point towards him missing the next few weeks due to the injury.
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”.
