BENZEMA, VAZQUEZ STILL NOT YET BACK IN REAL MADRID GROUP TRAINING

While most of the players from Real Madrid away on international duties, the select few who have remained at the club trained with the Castilla squad at the Valdebebas training ground today. However, as Mundo Deportivo reports club captain Karim Benzema and versatile star Lucas Vazquez did not train with the rest of the group and still continued their recovery in the indoor facilities. Benzema picked up an injury in the UEFA Champions League outing against Celtic two weeks ago and has since missed three matches for Los Blancos, including the Madrid derby against Atletico this past weekend.

As for Vazquez, he got injured in the La Liga clash versus RCD Mallorca around ten days back and has not played since either. While Benzema made a push to try and return for the derby, the French striker and the coaching staff ultimately decided not to rush things with his recovery considering that he is the only recognised senior striker on the club’s books at the moment.

Both Benzema and Vazquez are yet to fully recover from their ailments but are still expected to be available for Real Madrid’s next game against Osasuna on October 2. In the absence of their club captain, Real Madrid have coped fairly well, with Rodrygo Goes stepping in and taking up the mantle of operating as the No. 9. The Brazilian has formed a fine partnership with compatriot Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde, and the trio was key to Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Atletico, which ensured that they remained at the top of the La Liga standings.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that this current international break will give two of his star players, especially Benzema enough time to recover as he needs them this season.