The physical condition of some players, including Vinicius Junior, is starting to cause concern internally at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid has had a remarkable week. They secured a spot in the Champions League semifinals after a tough match on Manchester City’s turf, followed by a victory over their arch-rival Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday evening, effectively sealing the Liga title.
It was a week that delighted both fans and Madrid players. However, it was also a week that left its mark.
Indeed, the extended play against City and the intense match against Barcelona visibly tired some players. This situation is causing some concern internally, especially with the upcoming Champions League clash against Bayern in mind.
For instance, during the return match against City, the players were not as physically fresh as expected and as is usual for the Merengues at this stage of the season. As reported by Relevo, this was particularly true for Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid has taken measures
It was no coincidence that Carlo Ancelotti substituted him out during the Clasico with 15 minutes left and the score at 2-2. This is unprecedented this season, as the Brazilian usually plays every minute, and sidelining the team’s number one offensive asset when seeking a win might seem odd.
However, Ancelotti knows he must carefully manage the former Flamengo player, who is reported to be very tired in Madrid. The Italian’s staff is monitoring his playing time to ensure he is in good shape for Bayern.
It’s also been revealed that the medical staff is conducting regular blood tests to track the players’ fitness and anticipate any potential slumps.
Training sessions have also been kept very short in recent weeks to preserve the players, with nine more games possibly remaining if the Merengues qualify for the Champions League final.
Fortunately, Carlo Ancelotti will be able to rotate some players in La Liga so that his team can be in the best possible condition for the exciting double clash against Bayern Munich.
