Real Madrid have announced that they will be hosting a series of friendly matches to test the fitness status of two of their key players, Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militão.
The 31-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Courtois, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training just before the season started, prompting Real Madrid to bring in Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan
Meanwhile, Brazilian center-back, Militão also had his fair share of injury troubles when he tore his (ACL) in his left knee in the opening game of the season and has not played for Madrid since.
It had been thought that both may not return this season but Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided an update about their injuries.
According to the coach, both players are recovering from injuries and the club wants to ensure that they are fully fit and ready for the upcoming clash against Athletic Bilbao on March 31.
To ensure they are fully fit for football action, Real Madrid will take advantage of the International break to feature the two players in friendlies against the youth team.
Ancelotti said on Friday, March15: “They have started working with the team this week, we will take advantage of this break to do friendlies against the youth team."
“I think they will be ready for the match on the 31st (against Athletic Bilbao). We won’t take any risks. They are doing very well.”
The friendly matches will serve as a good opportunity for Courtois and Militão to get some match practice and build up their fitness levels.
It will also give the coaching staff a chance to assess their performances and see how they are coping with the demands of competitive football.
Courtois and Militao are expected to be ready for Manchester City’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final match against Manchester City. The home leg is scheduled for April 9/10, with the away game taking place a week later.
This match is a rematch from last season’s semi-final, where Guardiola's City emerged victorious with a 5-1 aggregate score.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti acknowledges the difficulty of facing City again but emphasizes the importance of beating the best to win the competition.
Ancelotti said: “It’s just that a Champions League quarter-final is always complicated!
On being paired against Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Ancelotti added, “The idea is to win the competition and, for that, you have to beat the best."
“City may be among the best in Europe at the moment, it will be tough, of course, but if you want to be European champions, you have to eliminate City.”
Reflecting on the past defeat, Ancelotti mentioned that they will analyze what went wrong ahead of the forthcoming encounter.
He added: “We will think about it. The truth is that the second leg was not good for many reasons."
“We will have time to think about this. Now we are thinking about the league. The draw for us is a detail.”
Real Madrid fans will be eagerly awaiting the return of Courtois and Militão, as they are two key players for the team.
The date of the friendly matches has not been revealed but it will be an important step in their recovery process and will hopefully see them back to full fitness in time for the great challenge ahead.
The 31-year-old Belgian goalkeeper Courtois, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training just before the season started, prompting Real Madrid to bring in Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan
Meanwhile, Brazilian center-back, Militão also had his fair share of injury troubles when he tore his (ACL) in his left knee in the opening game of the season and has not played for Madrid since.
It had been thought that both may not return this season but Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided an update about their injuries.
According to the coach, both players are recovering from injuries and the club wants to ensure that they are fully fit and ready for the upcoming clash against Athletic Bilbao on March 31.
To ensure they are fully fit for football action, Real Madrid will take advantage of the International break to feature the two players in friendlies against the youth team.
Ancelotti said on Friday, March15: “They have started working with the team this week, we will take advantage of this break to do friendlies against the youth team."
“I think they will be ready for the match on the 31st (against Athletic Bilbao). We won’t take any risks. They are doing very well.”
The friendly matches will serve as a good opportunity for Courtois and Militão to get some match practice and build up their fitness levels.
It will also give the coaching staff a chance to assess their performances and see how they are coping with the demands of competitive football.
Eder Militao, Thibaut Courtois on track to be fit for Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Courtois and Militao are expected to be ready for Manchester City’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final match against Manchester City. The home leg is scheduled for April 9/10, with the away game taking place a week later.
This match is a rematch from last season’s semi-final, where Guardiola's City emerged victorious with a 5-1 aggregate score.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti acknowledges the difficulty of facing City again but emphasizes the importance of beating the best to win the competition.
Ancelotti said: “It’s just that a Champions League quarter-final is always complicated!
On being paired against Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Ancelotti added, “The idea is to win the competition and, for that, you have to beat the best."
“City may be among the best in Europe at the moment, it will be tough, of course, but if you want to be European champions, you have to eliminate City.”
Reflecting on the past defeat, Ancelotti mentioned that they will analyze what went wrong ahead of the forthcoming encounter.
He added: “We will think about it. The truth is that the second leg was not good for many reasons."
“We will have time to think about this. Now we are thinking about the league. The draw for us is a detail.”
Real Madrid fans will be eagerly awaiting the return of Courtois and Militão, as they are two key players for the team.
The date of the friendly matches has not been revealed but it will be an important step in their recovery process and will hopefully see them back to full fitness in time for the great challenge ahead.