Real Madrid team news as Zidane prepares for Cádiz: Hazard, Valverde, Carvajal
Fede Valverde rejoined the group at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training base, with the rest of the internationals expected to return tomorrow ahead of Cádiz on Saturday.
Zinedine Zidane directed his fourth training session this week, where there was one notable returnee following the international break – Fede Valverde.
Having returned to the Spanish capital after playing two World Cup qualifiers with Uruguay, the 22-year-old midfielder, who has become a prominent fixture for Zidane over the past year, barely set foot in home after a long flight before hopping in his car to head to Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex.
That was not the case, however, for the rest of the international players, with Rapheal Varane, Ferland Mendy (France), Kroos (Germany), Casemiro and Rodrigo (Brazil) all taking Thursday to rest after having travelled back to Madrid from their respective international camps. All of them are expected to rejoin the group tomorrow for the final preparations ahead of Saturday’s home meeting with Cádiz at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
Thibaut Courtois was back under Zidane’s orders as of Wednesday and trained as normal. There had been initial concern after he left Belgium’s camp with some muscle discomfort in his lower back but he is fine and will be available for Saturday. Vinicius also worked without problems after recovering from a cold.
Carvajal, Hazard, Odriozola among injured
Zidane will be without five players for Saturday’s clash: Dani Carvajal (knee injury), Álvaro Odriozola (calf injury), Eder Militao (adductor injury), Mariano (recovering after tonsil removal operation), and Eden Hazard (muscle injury in right leg).
Carvajal, Odriozola and Hazard all trained inside the facilities and did not set foot in the grass. As it stands, Hazard will struggle to make the Clásico on Saturday, 24 October.
With Carvajal and Odriozola absent, Madrid have been left without a natural right back for the second game running, meaning Nacho may be drafted in to fill the position once again.
Although if Varane is considered too fatigued two start after playing to Nations League games for France, Nacho would likely be his replacement in the centre of defence, which means right back responsibilities could fall to Lucas Vazquez. The situation has left Zidane with some tricky decisions to make in defence.