REAL MADRID
Real Madrid round-up: Carvajal, Marcelo updates, The Best no excuse
Real Madrid were back in training on Thursday as they prepare for the Atlético Madrid game on Saturday as Carvajal joined in and Marcelo missed out.
Dani Carvajal rejoins Real Madrid training
Real Madrid welcomed Dani Carvajal back to training on Thursday after the defeat away to Sevilla on Wednesday night. The right-back has missed the last two games and Alvaro Odriozola replaced him for the Espanyol game before Nacho played against Sevilla. Odriozola was not fit enough to make the squad on Wednesday night after picking up a knock himself at training on Monday but he trained fully also and looks set to back up Carvajal on Saturday against Atlético.
Marcelo undergoes tests, scan expected on Friday
Marcelo's involvement on Saturday at the Bernabeu looks to be up in serious doubt. He was removed with 15 minutes to go against Sevilla and Real Madrid had to finish the game with 10 men as Lopetegui had already used his three subs. He limped off the field and said he had "pain in his calf." Lopetegui suggested it was a tear but said they would have to wait until Thursday to find out the extent of the injury. He underwent physiotherapy tests at training but will not have a scan until Friday.
Fall-out from Sevilla game continues
Real Madrid were dismantled by Sevilla on Wednesday night. The keys to how they did just that were dissected in this piece and Julen Lopetegui needs to find solutions to his mounting problems very soon. They have 24 hours less to rest than Atlético Madrid also but the Real Madrid manager says the defeat won't change his plans for the derbi. The player ratings are also quite the read and plenty of Real Madrid players will want to ensure they don't have a repeat day at the office on Saturday.
Real Madrid don't want to blame The Best awards for Sevilla defeat
Julen Lopetegui admitted it "would be opportunistic if I blamed the award ceremony for what happened" after Sevilla beat them on Wednesday. Thibaut Courtois said the same and he said "we trained very well, we prepared well and it's not an excuse." Five of the first team players travelled to London to pick up their awards and take their places in the FIFPro best XI of the year and Courtois said "I was sleeping by 04:00 and I rested well." What was the reason then?