Fede Valverde will not travel to Innsbruck for Real Madrid’s only preseason friendly, sidelined as a precaution after suffering a muscular overload. Coach Xabi Alonso has chosen not to take risks with the Uruguayan eight days before the LaLiga opener against Osasuna.
Valverde’s absence joins a list of notable unavailabilities for the match against WSG Tirol at the Tivoli Stadion. Jude Bellingham (recovering from surgery on his left shoulder), Eduardo Camavinga (ankle sprain), Ferland Mendy and Endrick are also out, leaving Alonso with a reduced first-team midfield for this lone preseason test.
Available midfield options from the senior squad are limited to Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos; Alonso has supplemented the squad with cantera players Thiago Pitarch and Roberto Martín to cover the midfield. The coach appears focused on preserving player fitness ahead of competitive fixtures rather than risking further injuries in a single preparatory game.
The squad called up for the trip is:
– Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran González.
– Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Álvaro Carreras, Fran García, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Diego Aguado.
– Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, Thiago Pitarch, Roberto Martín.
– Forwards: Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo, Joselu (Gonzalo), Brahim Díaz, Daniel Yáñez.
Notable points from the call-up:
– Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are included as they need minutes to continue their recovery from serious knee injuries.
– New signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are present; Álvaro Carreras could make his first-team debut.
– Rodrygo is included despite ongoing uncertainty about his future at the club.
Comments and context:
– This lineup reflects a clear prioritization of player health with the season opening days away. Xabi Alonso’s cautious approach aims to minimize the risk of aggravating recent injuries.
– The absences open opportunities for younger players and new signings to gain match experience and for staff to assess squad depth before competitive matches begin.
– For fans, the silver lining is that managing load now could preserve key players for the LaLiga start, while newcomers like Alexander-Arnold and Carreras can begin integrating into the group in a lower-stakes environment.
Brief summary:
Fede Valverde misses Real Madrid’s only preseason friendly due to a muscle overload. With several other first-team players also absent, Xabi Alonso travels to Innsbruck with a weakened midfield and a mixed squad that blends senior players needing minutes with youth prospects and recent signings. The selection emphasizes caution ahead of the LaLiga opener against Osasuna and offers opportunities for newcomers to make an impression.