Real Madrid without seven players against Málaga

Real Madrid’s injury list is now large enough to form its own seven-a-side team. José Mourinho has not recovered a single player ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Málaga. The inconvenient detail for Varcelona is that the healthy part of the squad has managed perfectly well without them.

Aurélien Tchouaméni, Endrick, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, Rodrygo and Thiago Pitarch all missed the final group training session. The same seven players were unavailable for Madrid’s opening two league fixtures.

Tchouaméni and Endrick had appeared closest to returning. The French midfielder continued working away from the squad, while the Brazilian forward remains on an individual programme designed to prepare him for competitive football without creating unnecessary injury risks. Neither will be available against Málaga.

There were at least some positive signs from Endrick and Militão. According to AS, both completed a physical circuit before working with the ball on a separate pitch. Mendy has also started running outside. Their recoveries are progressing, but none is ready to rejoin the matchday squad.

Asencio, Rodrygo and Pitarch are continuing their rehabilitation. Madrid have not reported any fresh problems, meaning Mourinho is expected to select almost the same group he used against Espanyol and Real Sociedad.

Seven absences sound serious until the results are considered. Madrid opened the season with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol before beating Real Sociedad 4-1. Without Tchouaméni, Rodrygo, Endrick and three defenders, they have collected six points and scored six goals. The treatment room is busy. The league table has so far refused to cooperate.

Mourinho did not attempt to create an emergency narrative around the situation. He stressed that Madrid possess a strong squad with enough options to compensate for the different levels of preparation among his players. His comments were published on the club’s official website.

His selection plans support that argument. Marc Cucurella will start at left-back while the in-form Álvaro Carreras moves to the bench. Yan Diomande will either make the starting XI or enter later. Even with seven players unavailable, Mourinho can still rotate footballers who would normally be competing for a regular place.

Sergio Ramos, currently without a club, also visited the training session at Valdebebas. He was only there as a guest. Even Madrid apparently decided that seven names were enough for one injury update.

Real Madrid host Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, 30 August, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 pm CEST.