Whites back to work: No fresh concerns for Arbeloa ahead of Benfica test
Real Madrid return to training after thrashing Real Sociedad, with Mbappé fit and ready for Champions League action while key trio remain sidelined.
Madrid waste no time getting back to business following their comprehensive dismantling of Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu, with all eyes now firmly on Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Benfica.
Clean bill of health
The gaffer will be chuffed to bits that Saturday’s 4-1 victory came without any injury scares. Not a single player picked up a knock, which is proper good news considering the Portuguese away day looming large.
The squad completed a solid session at Valdebebas today - their final training stint on Spanish soil before jetting off to Lisbon, where they’ll have one more run-out at the Estádio da Luz on Monday evening.
Mbappé ready to roll
Kylian Mbappé, who was given the afternoon off against La Real, trained without any issues. The Frenchman has put those niggly left knee problems behind him after a well-earned breather in La Liga. The rest of Saturday’s participants focused on recovery work around the training complex.
Trio still sidelined
Not all sunshine and rainbows though, as three key players remain in the treatment room:
- Jude Bellingham
- Éder Militão
- Rodrygo
All three continue their respective rehabilitation programs and have absolutely no chance of featuring in Lisbon. Their absence will force Arbeloa to stick with the XI that looked so impressive against an unbeaten-under-Matarazzo Real Sociedad side.
The comfortable victory at the weekend showed Madrid hitting peak physical and technical form - exactly what you want before a European away day. The squad seems to be finding their rhythm at just the right time, even with some big names watching from the sidelines.