Real Madrid’s preparations for Saturday’s meeting with Villarreal gathered pace on Tuesday, with Ibrahima Konaté completing training with the group and several internationals returning to Valdebebas. Carlos Espí, meanwhile, will have to wait for his senior Spain debut after another matchday omission. Elsewhere, Sergio Canales has revisited the challenges of his time at Madrid, while Dani Carvajal is reportedly exploring a move that would keep him in the Spanish capital.
Konaté completes group training as internationals return
Ibrahima Konaté completed Tuesday’s
session with the group, giving José Mourinho another defensive option ahead of Villarreal’s visit to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, October 10, at 9 p.m. Madrid time.
The Frenchman trained with a substantial bandage on his right knee as he continued his return from a collateral ligament injury. With Dean Huijsen suspended following his dismissal in the derby, Konaté’s progress puts him in contention to partner Antonio Rüdiger against Villarreal, although the starting lineup remains to be determined. Éder Militão also continued working with the group.
Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Brahim Díaz, Denzel Dumfries and Yan Diomande returned to the training complex after their international commitments. Their workloads differed, with some taking part in more intensive exercises and others concentrating on recovery.
Kylian Mbappé and Fede Valverde worked in the gym. Mbappé’s presence followed his individual session on Monday afternoon, when he exercised indoors and on the pitch after returning to Madrid. He remains in rehabilitation following the hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee sustained while playing for France.
AS reports that Mbappé’s time away from Madrid was agreed with Mourinho and the club, with a recovery program in place throughout. His return to Valdebebas does not yet amount to a return to full group training.
Raúl Asencio has also begun his postoperative recovery work at the training complex. Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo continued their respective rehabilitation programs, including exercises with the ball.
The remaining players involved with Spain and England are expected back following Tuesday’s international fixtures, allowing Mourinho to bring together more of his squad before the return to league action.
Espí left out of Spain’s squad for Croatia
Carlos Espí will have to wait to make his senior international debut after being omitted from Spain’s 23-player matchday squad to face Croatia in Split.
The Madrid striker was called up as an emergency replacement following Ferran Torres’ injury, having scored five goals in Spain’s 13-goal victory over San Marino at Under-21 level. However, Luis de la Fuente left him out of the squad against the Czech Republic in Oviedo and has made the same decision for the final match of the international window.
Roberto Fernández retains his place among Spain’s attacking options. The Espanyol striker has been with the senior squad throughout the break and made his debut against the Czech Republic after missing out on the first two matchday squads.
Espí will therefore not feature in either of Tuesday’s Spain fixtures: he is with the senior group rather than the Under-21 side facing Romania in Ibiza, but will not be involved against Croatia.
Madrid teammates Huijsen and Marc Cucurella are both included in De la Fuente’s matchday squad.
Canales: “I learned a lot, I don’t regret anything”
Sergio Canales has reflected on the demands of joining Real Madrid as a teenager, describing an experience that changed his understanding of professional football even though it did not unfold as he had initially planned.
Speaking to Manu Carreño on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, the Racing Santander midfielder explained that his original intention had been to sign for Madrid and continue developing elsewhere on loan.
“I made the decision because of certain circumstances in Santander. My idea was to sign for Real Madrid and then go out on loan for a few years to gain more experience. But I learned a lot, I don’t regret anything, and at the end of that year, it completely changed my perspective on what it means to be a First Division player. It gave me a lot of strength to keep going despite the injuries I’ve had,” Canales said.
Asked whether the move had come too early, he placed it within the wider experiences of a career repeatedly interrupted by injuries.
“Did Madrid come to me too soon? Well, soon… In the end, everything happens for a reason. The career I’ve had, with so many injuries, has taught me to fight and overcome situations.”
Canales also distinguished between the footballing education Madrid provided and the personal challenges of adapting to that environment at a young age.
“It forces you to mature a lot as a footballer, but personally it’s a huge challenge. A lot is demanded of an 18 or 19-year-old player very quickly, which is normal, but you’ve just left school and haven’t had any training to learn how to deal with the situations that come your way.”
Returning to Racing and considering his future
Canales also revisited Barcelona’s attempts to recruit him as a child. He recalled visiting La Masia and meeting his idol, Juan Román Riquelme, but said his family ultimately chose to remain in Santander rather than uproot their lives when there was no guarantee that he would become a professional.
His return to Racing after playing in Mexico, meanwhile, was motivated by a desire to contribute to the club that developed him.
“Not to compare, but this is my home and I owe everything to Racing. I’m very fortunate for the career I’ve had, and it’s all thanks to Racing. Not only for giving me my debut, but for shaping me as a player and a person from a young age. So I felt I had to come back to give back some of that. Now I feel good and I’m trying to help the team.”
At 35, Canales believes Racing could be his final club at the highest level, although he stopped short of announcing a retirement plan.
“I would say that, as of today, and although life changes a lot, at the elite level this is probably the end. The adventure in Mexico has been amazing, so I’m not ruling anything out. I’m taking it one day at a time; what I want is to be fit and contribute here. And the moment I see that I can’t do that, I’ll never be a problem for Racing.”
Report: Bordalás contacts Carvajal over Getafe move
Dani Carvajal could continue his career at Getafe, with ABC reporting that talks are progressing positively over a potential move for the former Madrid defender.
According to the report, José Bordalás has personally contacted Carvajal to explain the role he envisages for him and express his interest in bringing him to the Coliseum. Remaining close to his home and the opportunity to work with Bordalás are presented as factors that appeal to the full-back.
The principal obstacle is Getafe’s ability to accommodate and register him within the club’s salary limit. The report says Getafe are examining their options and discussing the available room with LaLiga.
The interest has therefore not yet translated into a completed signing. While the account describes optimism around the negotiations, an agreement remains dependent on resolving the financial and registration requirements.
Villarreal sell out their 850-ticket Bernabéu allocation
Villarreal will have 850 supporters at the Bernabéu after selling out their allocation for Saturday’s match.
The visitors head into the fixture following victories in their last two league matches, with the timing of the game and the long weekend helping supporters make the trip to Madrid. The journey is also a regular one on the Villarreal Supporters’ Clubs Association’s away calendar.
Villarreal are seeking their third league victory at the Bernabéu, having won two of their previous 26 visits. Madrid, meanwhile, return to competition for the first time since the derby defeat, with Mourinho’s team looking to begin their October schedule with three points.
