Two key absences for Real Madrid in the Champions League

Real Madrid C.F.

40

Tchouaméni
6.540.000€+90.000€6

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7

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7

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6

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4

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MD

10

97

Arda Güler
12.520.000€-10.000€12

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5

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15

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6

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The Portuguese coach's decision is not due to any serious physical problem. Both players stay in Madrid as a precaution, due to the accumulated fatigue over the past few weeks, after stringing together numerous appearances and becoming important pieces in Real Madrid's setup.

Strategic rest with Valencia in mind

The calendar is starting to tighten and Mourinho does not want to take unnecessary risks with two key players in his midfield. Both Guler and Tchouameni carried out specific work away from the group during the last training session, a situation that pointed to their absence on the trip to Athens.

Real Madrid face three matches in just seven days, all away from the Santiago Bernabeu. After visiting Racing de Santander, the Whites will take on AEK in the Champions League and will close out the week on Saturday against Valencia at Mestalla, in a match corresponding to matchday 12 of LaLiga.

Precisely, that last fixture seems to be behind Mourinho's decision. The aim is for both midfielders to arrive in the best possible condition for the league clash, preventing fatigue from turning into a muscle injury.

Valverde returns and Vinicius is back in the spotlight

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Fede Valverde
8.530.000€+40.000€-

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4

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8

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Not all the news in the Madrid squad is about absences. Fede Valverde is available again after missing the match against Racing due to the discomfort he had been carrying in the back of his right leg. The Uruguayan has already trained normally with the rest of his teammates and could get minutes in Athens.

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Vinícius Júnior
13.740.000€-10.000€-

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-

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-3

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Also returning is Vinicius Junior, who can play in the Champions League despite being suspended in LaLiga. He will serve his final match of a four-game ban against Valencia, so the European fixture is a good opportunity to regain competitive rhythm.

The other development is the presence of Sergio Martinez, Real Madrid Castilla midfielder, who gets another chance to join the first-team dynamic. Mourinho continues to bet on bringing young players into certain squads, especially when rotations force the search for alternatives.

Are they in danger for matchday 12?

The news is especially interesting for those who have Guler or Tchouameni in their fantasy teams. Their absences are not related to a confirmed injury, so unless something unexpected happens during the next training sessions, both should be in a position to return to the squad for the match against Valencia.

Also, the rest could work in their favor. The two midfielders would arrive at the Mestalla clash without the wear and tear from the European commitment and with several extra days to recover. A situation that increases their chances of returning to Mourinho's starting XI, although the coach's plans will have to wait for the next sessions to be confirmed.