Mourinho’s double sessions kept up the basic format of fitness workouts in the morning & tactical work in the afternoon. RMC’s Rubén Belima was a new face to the group.
The ten o’clock training began with the usual routine of warm-ups & stretches. The players then moved onto a practice match, set up in reduced space. Nacho & Fabinho scored for the winning side, while Pipita scored the only goal for the team in blue vests.
Carvalho continued the week without showing up for a session; he was given club permission. Although Di María wasn’t on the pitch, he worked out alone in the gym. When the players returned for the afternoon session, they worked on tactical & physical work for 90 minutes. Saturday’s 10 am training is open to the press. A press conference with Esteban Granero will follow.
In other news. Fernando Gago’s transfer to Valencia was made official. Los Blancos are reportedly €19.5m in the black, according to a report from Marca. The profits come from the sales of four players, including Castilla’s Carvajal.
The only signing the club has been actively pursuing is Tottenham’s Luka Modric. The Croatian has emphatically voiced his desire to join Madrid, however his club has set a €45m price tag & will not release him for less than that. Real Madrid’s Pérez is reportedly not interested in paying more than €35m, so the deal is up in the air. Tottenham leaves for the club’s US tour Saturday, & Modric is hoping to finalize the move before then.
Upcoming matches. Tuesday’s (July 24) friendly against Real Oviedo will kick off at 7:45 pm CEST. The Eusébio Cup will be played at 8:45 pm on July 27.
