According to a recent report from AS, Real Madrid have made a strong decision to change their approach to player management for the remainder of the season. The outlet mentions that the club is deter...
According to a recent report from AS, Real Madrid have made a strong decision to change their approach to player management for the remainder of the season.
The outlet mentions that the club is determined to avoid repeating situations like the one involving Kylian Mbappe earlier in the campaign, with all focus now shifting towards a single, overriding objective, which is the Champions League.
The turning point came back in mid-December, when Real Madrid faced Talavera.
Despite internal concerns surrounding Mbappe’s physical condition, the French forward not only featured in the match but also completed the full 90 minutes in a hard-fought 3–2 victory.
At the time, the decision was seen as a calculated risk, but the consequences soon became clear.
Repercussions of the decision
In the aftermath of that game, Mbappe was forced to miss two key fixtures. He was unavailable for a crucial La Liga clash against Real Betis, and also sat out the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
Mbappe played against Talavera despite physical issues. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Those absences only reinforced the feeling inside the club that risks had been taken unnecessarily, especially during a season where margins are extremely fine.
As a result, Real Madrid’s sporting and medical departments have now aligned on a revised plan. Physical preparation and medical protocols will be handled with far greater caution.
So what now?
One of the first measures will be a more selective approach to rest days, carefully planned with the congested calendar in mind.
Training intensity will be adjusted, combining controlled workload sessions both with and without the ball to ensure players peak at the right moments.
Most importantly, the club is determined to avoid taking risks with players who are not at 100%, especially in secondary competitions.
The lesson from the Copa del Rey match in Talavera has been clearly learned, and from now on, availability for Europe will take precedence over short-term gains elsewhere.
Category: General Sports
