After having played in both of France’s under-21 matches, Raphaël Varane reportedly returned to Madrid with muscle fatigue. While the majority of the team were out on the practice pitch yesterday, Rafa received treatment from the club physio. However, he did train normally with the rest of the squad in today’s session.
Mourinho & company returned to Valdebebas this morning to kick off the new campaign. Before the 10 am session, the players took their medical examinations.
Ángel di María & Álvaro Morata were the first to arrive, & La Sexta reports that Nuri Sahin was the last. Thirteen of Castilla’s men were on hand, including Morata, whose first team promotion has yet to be confirmed by the club.
David Mateos, Castilla’s recent signing, returned this summer from a loan spell at AEK Athens.
Notable absentees from today’s trainings were all of the Euro players & Marcelo, who’s preparing for the London Olympics. Ricardo Carvalho was given permission to skip, further supporting the rumor of a departure. After spending the previous season at AS Roma, Fernando Gago was back at Valdebebas. Various reports say that Gago is looking for a return to Boca Juniors, since he is not in Mourinho’s plans this season.
Silvino Louro worked with the keepers during the morning session, while Rui Faria led the others through stretching exercises & an obstacle course run. When the players returned for the 5:30 session, they participated in more intense ball work.
The club will resume training Tuesday at 10 o’clock. The first 15 minutes will be open to the press. A press conference will also be held but no confirmation on who will address the press.
In other news. UEFA published the shortlist for the 2012 Europe’s Best Player Award. The list of three finalists will be announced on uefa.com on August 14th, then a live vote will take place to reveal the winner.
Moving up three places from last year, Real Madrid earned the second spot in Forbes’ list of most valuable sports teams. Real Madrid was the world’s most profitable club in 2011 & held a value of $1.88 billion.
In the 15 official matches he’s played this season, Raphaël Varane has committed only 14 fouls & received no yellow cards. At the start of the season, Marca dubbed him Don Limpio (Mr. Clean). He told Téléfoot, “I don’t make a lot of mistakes on the pitch, so I like that nickname.”
At Barajas airport
Real madrid is flying to Cyprus
aww benzema is all by his lonesome
i would sit next to him on the plane
but i would want the window seat
Raphaël Varane
Nuri Sahin
Sergio Ramos seems to be having issues with his back & will be replaced by Varane.
ETA. Guess he’s overcome it. He’ll be starting after all. *whew*
Pre-match gifs, 3.10.12
According to Marca, Raphaël Varane has undergone the Varane Plan: a rigorous fitness, nutrition & tactical regimen to transform him from a tall, slender teen into a model central defender for many years to come. Since his arrival in June of 2011, the 18-year-old has gained 4 kg (8.8 lbs) of muscle mass.
With the upcoming international break almost here, below is the list of Real Madrid players called up by their respective countries.
Upcoming Matches:
2.28 - Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Brazil, France vs Italy (U-21)
2.29 - Germany vs France, Poland vs Portugal, Spain vs Venezuela, Switzerland vs Argentina
League action will resume March 4, when the club hosts Espanyol.
Arriving in Moscow, 2.19.12
RM: Training Photos - Pt. 2 (2.1.12)
