Real Madrid faces Saturday's clash against Málaga CF with an injury crisis that shows no sign of easing. According to a Mundo Deportivo report on August 29, manager José Mourinho will not recover any of the seven players currently in the treatment room for the match at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The game, which kicks off at 17:00 and will be broadcast on Movistar, comes at a delicate time for the white-clad side. The squad prepared at the Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas with a reduced working group. Aurélien Tchouaméni, who had generated some hope of a return, trained separately alongside the other injured players. Endrick also remains on a special plan to prevent physical issues.
Who are Madrid's injured players?
The list of absentees is extensive and includes important names. Besides Tchouaméni and Endrick, Marco Asensio, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Rodrygo, and Thiago Pitarch are also out. All of them carried out individual recovery work during Friday morning's session. Militão was one of the most active, seen doing continuous running for fifteen minutes on a pitch adjacent to fields 1 and 2 at Valdebebas. This activity took place during the part of training open to the press, making it clear the return process still requires time.
The absence of these players forces Mourinho to likely repeat the same squad list he used for the last two official matches. The team beat Espanyol and drew with Real Sociedad with an identical starting eleven. Now the question is whether the Portuguese manager will keep that lineup for a third consecutive game or introduce some tactical change against Málaga. The lack of alternatives on the bench complicates any significant modification.
What does this mean for Málaga CF?
For Málaga CF, this situation presents an opportunity during their visit to the white coliseum. Facing a physically depleted rival could be a factor to exploit, although Madrid is always dangerous at home. The Andalusian team will seek points to help consolidate their position in the standings, which you can check on our standings page. This match is the prelude to a demanding schedule, with the next fixture at home against Athletic Club on November 29, according to our fixtures.
A curious note of the day was Sergio Ramos's visit to the Valdebebas facilities. The former captain, currently without a team, stopped by in the morning to greet the coaching staff and players. His presence generated expectation but is not linked to a possible signing, according to all sources.
How does this affect Madrid's schedule?
The accumulation of injuries tests the depth of the Madrid squad in the early part of the season. Mourinho will have to trust the available players and manage workloads carefully. The upcoming FIFA date, after the match against Málaga, will provide a breather for some to complete their recovery. Meanwhile, updated information on the team's status can be followed in our injuries section.
Saturday's encounter therefore shapes up as a test of resilience for an injured Madrid. Málaga CF arrives with the intention of taking advantage of this circumstance and adding points in an always challenging scenario. The match will confirm whether the lack of reinforcements hinders the home side or if, on the contrary, they manage to prevail with the resources at hand.
