Real Madrid are in a moment when every minute of recovery is worth gold. Important games coming, Rodrygo and Rüdiger's injuries raised the alarm in the merengue team. The Champions League match against Milan will be at the end of the month, hence the need to find a balance between the care of the players and the necessity of having them on the pitch.
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Rüdiger: Resilience and Recovery to Reinforce the Defense
This season, Rüdiger has hardly been out, holding Real Madrid's defense with his physique and imposing presence. After the last El Clásico, against Barcelona, his exhaustion reached a breaking point to the point of obtaining a diagnosis as clear as it is worrying: he is suffering from extreme fatigue. Without being serious, his muscular collapse has kept him away from training, and now there are concerns about his condition ahead of the Champions League.
But coach Carlo Ancelotti knows just how key Rüdiger's presence means to the solidity in the rear against Milan's potent attack. In his temporary absence, Ancelotti tested other options, playing Tchouaméni as a centre-back alongside Militão in training. The midfielder has played already in that position twice this campaign because of problems in the rear. This is only a temporary formation to help the defense until Rüdiger comes back fully, but Ancelotti hopes it's one he will not have to use unless there are no other options.
Rodrygo: Racing to Be Ready for Milan
While Rüdiger battles back from extreme fatigue, Rodrygo's situation is a little more complicated:. The forward injured his femoral biceps during the game against Borussia Dortmund, one of those hits that not only took him out of the field but made him miss the recent Clasico as well. All that happened in the 83rd minute when Rodrygo sprinted in order to save the ball for a very precise pass that ended in a goal; the price was a torn muscle that needed immediate rest.
Since then, Rodrygo has been working tirelessly with the medical team. The good news is that he remains on track in his recovery timeline. However, it is not yet known whether he will be fit to take part against Milan. But the fact that Rodrygo has resumed light ball training is a very positive omen. He brings versatility and pace in Real's attack, elements that could prove critical against Milan, and the team knows how much the presence of the Brazilian can influence the result.