Real Madrid kicked off their preparations for El Clásico with their first training session of the week at Valdebebas, blending recovery work with high-intensity drills as attention turns toward Sunday’s decisive showdown with Barcelona.
Following the win over Espanyol, the squad was split into two groups. The starters from that match focused on recovery exercises, while the rest of the team began the session in the gym before moving onto the pitch for a more demanding workload.
Once outside, the players
went through a series of rondos before progressing into finishing drills in reduced spaces. The session concluded with two conditioned matches — one emphasizing immediate pressing after losing possession, and another played in a tight, small-sided format to sharpen intensity and decision-making.
Courtois boost ahead of Clásico
The standout development from the session was Thibaut Courtois’ full participation. The Belgian goalkeeper completed the entire training session with the group, marking a significant step forward in his recovery.
Courtois has been sidelined for roughly six weeks after suffering a rectus femoris muscle tear in his right quadriceps during the match against Manchester City on March 17. Since then, Andriy Lunin has stepped in between the posts, but Courtois’ return to full training now opens the door for a potential comeback in one of the biggest matches of the season.
Whether he is immediately reinstated as the starter will ultimately depend on Álvaro Arbeloa’s assessment in the coming days, but the signs are encouraging.
Injury list still a concern
While Courtois’ return offers a timely boost, several key players remain unavailable. Dani Carvajal, Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo all continue to follow their respective recovery programs and did not train with the group.
Their availability for Sunday remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity as Madrid prepare for a high-stakes encounter.
Focus shifts to Barcelona
Real Madrid will face Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday night (9:00 PM local time) in La Liga. With the title race entering its final stretch, El Clásico carries massive weight — and Madrid will be hoping to head into it with momentum and, potentially, their first-choice goalkeeper back in action.
