Real Madrid news: Rodrygo, James, Odegaard...
Today's Real Madrid tidbits feature calls for Rodrygo Goes to start for Brazil and news of injury victims James Rodríguez and Martin Odegaard.
Weekend off at Real Madrid
Having not had to report for training on Saturday, the Real Madrid players who are not currently on international duty have also been given Sunday off by head coach Zinedine Zidane. They're not due back in at Valdebebas, Los Blancos' training ground, until 17:00 CET on Monday.
Real wait on hobbled James
Madrid are still waiting to ascertain the exact extent of the injury suffered by James Rodríguez on Colombia duty this week. The 28-year-old left Los Cafeteros' camp in the United States after pulling up in training, with an initial scan showing up knee-ligament damage.
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Odegaard on the mend
Real Sociedad's on-loan Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, who has missed the Basques' last two LaLiga games with a foot injury, is now back out on the training pitch and is stepping up his recovery ahead of La Real's clash with his parent club next Saturday.
Areola, Varane's France in Albania action
Frenchmen Alphonse Areola and Raphaël Varane are preparing for their country's final Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday night, as Les Bleus take on Albania at 20:45 CET. France have already qualified for next summer's finals, but need a win in Tirana to be certain of topping Group H ahead of Turkey.
Give Goes a go, Tite told
After handing Rodrygo Goes his Brazil debut as a second-half substitute in Friday's 1-0 friendly defeat to Argentina, Seleçao head coach Tite is now being strongly urged to start the Real Madrid youngster against South Korea on Tuesday.
"Rodrygo scored three goals in the Champions League [against Galatasaray] and is Brazil's most in-form player, but Tite doesn't have the courage to put him in his team," the prominent Brazilian journalist Galvao Bueno said in the wake of the loss to Argentina, which was the Copa América holders' fifth straight game without victory since lifting the trophy in July. "He insists on constantly picking the same players. Either Tite changes, or he has to be replaced."