Aurélien Tchouaméni has made significant strides in his recovery and trained without bandages for a second consecutive day, according to reports from Real Madrid's final session before Tuesday's Champions League opener against Inter Milan. The French midfielder displayed no visible discomfort and confirmed that pain from his recent injury has subsided considerably. Despite the positive developments, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to manage his return conservatively, ruling him out of the starting eleven but keeping a squad berth available.
Cautious Path Back to Action
Tchouaméni's participation in full team training marks a dramatic turnaround from 48 hours earlier, when his involvement in the fixture appeared unlikely. The midfielder moved freely during the session and trained at normal intensity, suggesting his physical condition has stabilized. However, regaining match sharpness remains the priority, and Real Madrid will not rush him into starting duties despite his encouraging progress. This measured approach reflects the club's strategy to avoid recurring injury complications that could derail their Champions League campaign.
Thiago Alcântara and Endrick also participated in training with positive signs, though neither is expected to start against the Italian champions. The availability of these players provides depth for Ancelotti's midfield and attacking options as Real Madrid seeks to establish early momentum in Europe's elite competition.
Significant Absences Shape Squad Depth
Real Madrid faces a considerable injury crisis that will impact their squad selection:
- Éder Militão remains sidelined for approximately one month with his defensive partnership disrupted
- Rodrygo is not expected to return until January, creating a gap in attacking depth
- Ferland Mendy is ruled out until Christmas at the earliest after missing the Champions League registration deadline
- Brahim Díaz requires several more weeks before returning to action
- Andriy Lunin missed training due to influenza, leaving his availability uncertain until the final squad announcement
These absences force Ancelotti to operate with limited options in defense and attack, particularly in a competition where Europe's strongest sides will test Real Madrid's resources. The manager must balance caution with competitive necessity as his team launches their pursuit of a 16th European crown.
Real Madrid's clash with Inter Milan at the San Siro will reveal how effectively the club can navigate injuries while maintaining their status as Champions League favorites.
