Real Madrid will aim to return to the summit of La Liga when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. Alvaro Arbeloa has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Vinicius Junior is available after serving a suspension in the league game against Valencia last weekend. Additionally, Ferland Mendy (thigh) and Antonio Rudiger (muscular) are closing in on returning from their spells on the sidelines.
However, Jude Bellingham (hamstring) and Eder Militao (hamstring) remain in the treatment room. Arbeloa had also been sweating over Kylian Mbappe’s fitness after his struggles with a minor issue this week. However, the Spanish tactician confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the French international was fit and available.
The Real Madrid head coach said, “Mbappe is fine. He has trained with the group and is available for tomorrow’s match.”
Meanwhile, Arbeloa also discussed Dani Carvajal’s growing frustration due to a lack of game time. The Real Madrid boss said, “With Carvajal, as with all his teammates, I like to talk individually. I take advantage of every week to speak with almost everyone. I have a wonderful and very comfortable gray sofa where we sit and talk.”
“I like to know what they feel and think, and for them to know a bit about what I think as well. Carvajal is improving every time. He’s had another great training week, and I’m the most interested in having him at his best level. I see him getting closer to his best, and of course, he will have to prove it on the pitch, and I’m sure he will soon.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
