Absences on the Real Madrid training ground
Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior and Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde missed Real Madrid's session today as they prepare for the Mallorca match on Saturday in La Liga.
As reported by AS, the workout gathered all international players except Valverde, who was given a rest by the club.
Valverde suspension and Vinícius' return plan
Valverde will miss the Mallorca game due to suspension, and coach Álvaro Arbeloa will have 20 first-team players available.
Vinícius returned to Valdebebas, despite the club offering him a day off. He followed a plan of medical treatment and rehabilitation exercises, without taking part in training.
There is no injury, but he is showing significant fatigue, having played 55 of 57 matches since the Club World Cup. Everyone agrees this is the wisest course.
He is expected back in training tomorrow, though it remains uncertain whether he will start against Mallorca or be managed ahead of the Bayern Munich Champions League clash.
Read also: more on Madrid's strategic decisions in the linked feature.
Punchline 1: When you rest this well, even the scoreboard starts yawning.
Punchline 2: If rest were a transfer market, Real Madrid would have signed the world’s best sleeper.
