Zidane prepares for Numancia without Varane or Modric
The official word is that both Raphael Varane and Luka Modric were doing some work separately in the gym while Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema remain out injured.
The Real Madrid squad had their first and only exercise session ahead of the Copa del Rey second leg against Numancia, which takes place on Wednesday 10 January at 21:30 CET.
'Crisis' talks may have delayed training
Starting at the delayed time of midday (normally the session would begin at 11:00) the players went through their series of workouts. The official party line from the club is that the squad began their first part of the training in the gym however everything suggests that the initial meet-up was for the coaching staff and players to discuss the current 'crisis' in which the white team is immersed.
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Stars missing for Copa dead rubber
Out on the field, Zidane was again without the injured duo of Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema, as well as his son Luca who is suffering from a shoulder knock. The three players remained inside for personal workouts and treatment. Others who were missing included Raphael Varane (who had taken a blow to his foot in the match against Celta Vigo) and Luka Modric. The club stated that both players were also left inside the gym.
Some of the youth team were involved, however, as Tejero and Óscar Rodríguez got to work with the French coach and could feature in the matchday squad for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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