Real Madrid round-up: Washington DC, Juve, Casemiro, Modric...
Our daily roundup of news surrounding Los Blancos as they prepare to take on Juventus in Washington DC tonight.
Squad heads to Washington D.C.
The team left Miami yesterday evening for Washington D.C., where they will take on a Ronaldo-less Juventus side at 18.00 local time (00.00 CET) at the Maryland Stadium. The big question for Julen Lopetegui will be whether to stick with Vinicius, who had an impressive game against Manchester United, or bring in World Cup returnee Asensio, who is now available for selection, to fill the position left void by Ronaldo.
Everyone available except Ramos
Along with Asensio, Navas, Kroos, Isco, Nacho and Lucas will also be available to Lopetegui and are expected to play their part against Juventus. The only unavailability amonst the travelling squad now at this point is Sergio Ramos. The captain enjoyed a longer holiday than the rest of his colleagues, but returned to training two days ago, as he works towards regaining match fitness.
Casemiro is back, but no sign of Marcelo
Casemiro has returned to training at Real's training ground in Valdebebas, as he looks to get into shape for the European Super Cup just around the corner. The Brazilian midfielder worked in the gym together with S&C coach, Javier Mallo. After that, he took to the field and did some interval running to get him back into the swing of things. Marcelo was also supposed to report back to the Ciudad Deportiva in Valdebebas but he was not present with rumours swirling around his future at the club.
Madrid willing to offer Modric a payrise
The big story on Friday was La Gazzetta dello Sport's claim that Luke Modric wants to leave the Bernabeu and follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Italy, with a move to Inter Milan. And now supposedly Florentino Perez is willing to offer him a payrise to keep him in the white jersey. Real are reportedly going to offer him an annual salary in the region of 11 million euros, up from his current 8.5 million and putting him on par with Sergio Ramos, and only behind Bale, who earns 12 million euros.
The Croatian midfielder, who was chosen as the World Cup's player of the tournament, returned to Valdebebas yesterday, and with Perez due to return to Madrid from the US on Wednesday, there could very well be a meeting next week to discuss his future at the club.
Lopetegui installs his number two
Albert Celades has been added to Real Madrid’s coaching staff to act as assistant to Julen Lopetegui, the club announced on Friday.
Celades was among Lopetegui’s assistants at the World Cup and had spent four years as Spain’s under-21 coach before leaving the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after La Roja’s last-16 exit from the tournament in Russia at the hands of the host nation.