Real Madrid Prepares for Malaga Clash with Caution

Real Madrid’s final training session before Malaga’s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu carried a clear theme: caution over risk.

On Saturday, several key names were missing from the main group as the league leaders tuned up for Sunday’s third-round La Liga clash. Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Rodrygo and Endrick all sat out the collective work.

None of them, though, have downed tools.

All seven continued with their individual recovery plans, with the club prioritising full fitness over short-term fixes. Militao and Endrick were visible on an adjacent pitch, first pushed through a series of physical drills, then eased into ball work as they step up their returns.

The most scrutinised absence belongs to Tchouameni. His situation was addressed by journalist Arancha Rodriguez on Spanish radio station Cope, who echoed the club’s stance: “Mourinho explained it well a few days ago. Tchouameni wants to play now, but the technical staff prefer his full recovery. I would also like to remind that he renewed his contract at the beginning of the summer.”

“Mourinho explained it well a few days ago. Tchouameni wants to play now, but the technical staff prefer his full recovery.”

That line says plenty. The Frenchman is eager, the staff are firm, and the club see him as a long-term pillar rather than a short-term gamble.

Madrid head into the Malaga game with momentum firmly behind them. Two matches, two wins: a tight 2-1 victory over Espanyol, then a commanding 4-1 dismantling of Real Sociedad. Six points banked, goals flowing, and now a home debut at a Bernabeu expecting both a show and another step in what they hope will be a title march.

They will have to do it, at least for now, while managing a growing injury list. How long can they keep winning while walking that tightrope?