Absent from Real Madrid training on Friday, French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is doubtful for Madrid’s trip to Almeria on Saturday for the second day of La Liga, Ancelotti said, angry at the demanding schedule. “Camavinga did not train, he had a small contracture in his leg,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed at a press conference. “We will assess him tomorrow, he will be in the squad and we will decide tomorrow whether he can play or not,” he added.
The absence of the French midfielder, who has just celebrated his 100th match in all competitions with the Merengue club, would be a new blow for Real, already deprived of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao. The Belgian goalkeeper and the Brazilian defender were operated on Thursday for the same injury, a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee.
Courtois’ absence prompted the club to sign Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea. But the latter should not start on Saturday in Almeria (7:30 p.m.), Carlo Ancelotti having declared that Andriy Lunin, holder on the first day, will again keep the Madrid goals.
Unlike his Belgian teammate, Militao should not be replaced by a new recruit. Ancelotti intends to “use the players from the training center” until the return of the Brazilian, unavailable for several months.
Asked about the multiplication of injuries at Real and elsewhere in Europe, Carlo Ancelotti railed against the increasingly dense calendars of the big clubs: “they (the football authorities, editor’s note) are trying to create more spectacle by adding more matches , but coaches and players have no role in that.” “They find football is no longer entertaining and so they add more quantity to make more money,” he added.
On the other hand, he kicked into touch when a journalist made a link between the knee injuries suffered by Real players and their intense pre-season in the United States. “It’s hard to say why they get hurt. Militao was in good physical condition and he was injured, Courtois the same,” assured the Italian technician. “I think it’s just bad luck.”
Real Madrid will therefore present themselves with at least five absentees (Courtois, Guler, Militao, Ceballos and Mendy) on the lawn of Almeria, Saturday (7:30 p.m.) for the second day of La Liga.