Madrid prepare to face Athletic without players on international duty

Real Madrid carried out their first training session of the week at Valdebebas on Tuesday, without recovering the injured players and awaiting the return of some of their 14 internationals who still have commitments with their national teams. Dani Ceballos continued to work in the gym to recover from the muscle strain he suffered on 15 March, from which he is expected to be fit to face Athletic at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday (21:00 CET, -1 GMT).

Another player expected to return soon is the Brazilian Militao, who is in the final stages of his recovery from the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which he suffered on 12 August. The club's idea was for him to return to the squad after the break, but without rushing, so the next few days will be crucial for his return.

Meanwhile, both Alaba, who also suffered an anterior cruciate injury in his left knee, and Courtois, who suffered an internal meniscus tear in his right knee when he was set to return from the cruciate rupture, worked on their respective recovery processes.

Absentees to which must be added the 14 internationals who are expected to join in the coming days: Dani Carvajal and Joselu (Spain), Brahim Diaz (Morocco), Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos (Germany), Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni (France), Jude Bellingham (England), Luka Modric (Croatia), Arda Guler(Turkey), Fede Valverde (Uruguay), Andry Lunin (Ukraine), Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes (Brazil).

As a result, Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti only had five first-team players - Kepa Arrizabalaga, Nacho Fernandez, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy - to train alongside Real Madrid Castilla. According to the club's website, the session began with physical exercises, ball circulation and possession, followed by a series of games on small pitches before finishing with shots on goal.