What’s the story?
Real Madrid defender Raphaël Varane has returned to training and is expected to feature in the Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Atletico Madrid after missing out on the weekend game against Granada through a slight injury.
"Real Madrid completed the first session of the week and began to prepare for the return leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Atletico, which will take place on Wednesday at the Vicente Calderon Stadium (8.45pm CEST). Ball work was the focus of the session," the club’s website announced.
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"The Whites carried out possession and pressing exercises, ball circulation drills and different games on a reduced sized pitch. Carvajal and Bale continue with their recovery processes,” the report concluded.
In case you didn’t know...
Raphaël Varane missed the Granada game through a slight injury. Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid manager ahead of the game the relegation-threatened side, however, cleared the air, “Varane felt something again but it's nothing serious, we just don't want to take any risks with a player who's feeling discomfort”.
The French international had a very good game in the first leg and helped keep the clean sheet against their city rivals. His fitness is very important with games coming thick and fast in Europe and the La Liga.
The heart of the matter
The 24-year-old once touted to be the future of the Madrid defence has had a poor season given his athletic ability and pace. His season has been obviously been hampered by injuries, but when he has played he hasn’t shown enough to Zinedine Zidane.
There have been rumours linking him to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United (obvious given his connection with the Portuguese). However, it is unlikely that he will leave at the end of the season unless something really drastic happens.
Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo: Every single record held by the Real Madrid superstar
What’s Next?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliance in the first leg has rendered the second leg into a sort of a formality at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Zinedine Zidane is expected to field a strong lineup which would most likely include Varane.
Author’s Take
With Pepe out, Real Madrid have three central defenders and with the number of games Sergio Ramos has played this season, Varane’s return would be welcome. Also, from a personal point of view, it is sad to see a talent like his suffer due to frequent injuries.
Here’s hoping he has a strong end to the season.
Also read: OFFICIAL: Real Madrid sign Atletico Madrid star on 5-year contract after he completes medical
