Real Madrid continued preparations for Sunday’s Clásico with another training session at Valdebebas, as Álvaro Arbeloa’s side gears up for a potentially decisive meeting with Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The session began with warm-up routines and rondos before transitioning into possession-based drills and finishing exercises. Training wrapped up with a small-sided match on a reduced-size pitch as the coaching staff continued to sharpen the team tactically ahead of the trip to Catalonia.
Several players
remained unavailable. Dani Carvajal, Arda Güler, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes, and Kylian Mbappé all continued their respective recovery programs away from the main group.
Mbappé’s status remains the biggest question mark ahead of El Clásico. The French forward is still training individually as he works his way back from the semitendinosus injury in his left leg suffered against Betis. Real Madrid had initially planned tests today to evaluate his recovery, but the club will instead wait until tomorrow for an MRI scan. If results are positive, Mbappé is expected to partially rejoin group training on Thursday, which would significantly increase his chances of making the squad for Sunday’s match. For now, however, his availability remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Dani Ceballos has also joined Madrid’s growing injury list. After being left out of the previous two matchday squads amid reports of tension with Arbeloa, the midfielder is now dealing with discomfort in his right ankle and has been training indoors. His situation adds another complication for Madrid as the squad continues to battle fitness issues during the final stretch of the season.
There was at least one major boost for Los Blancos: Thibaut Courtois is set to return. The Belgian goalkeeper has been training normally with the group and is expected to go straight back into the starting lineup against Barcelona.
Courtois has missed the last 51 days after suffering an injury during the second leg against Manchester City on March 17th. His absence has coincided with one of Madrid’s most difficult stretches of the campaign. Since losing the Belgian, Madrid have managed just three wins in eight matches, alongside three defeats and two draws.
The team has clearly struggled defensively without him, and Courtois’ importance has only become more evident during his absence. Throughout the season, the goalkeeper repeatedly rescued Madrid during difficult moments, and his return could provide a much-needed lift heading into the biggest match left on the calendar.
