Calm… and then storm

Before the storm comes the calm. Real Madrid finds itself in that situation after the setback of the Clásico. Normally, national team breaks are the packaging for the UEFA virus that affects the greats so much. On the other hand, on this occasion, the white team can use it as a balm to heal wounds and arrive with full batteries in the face of the earthquake that the calendar hides. Upon the return of the internationals, who have left to defend the colors of their respective countries starting this Monday 21, 15 days of authentic madness await Ancelotti’s men: Celta (April 2) and Chelsea (Wednesday 6) in Vigo and London; Getafe (April 9) and Champions League return against the blues (Tuesday 12) at the Bernabéu; and a visit to Pizjuán on the 17th, where LaLiga can be dealt a final blow.

To back to training this Wednesday, Carletto has had to pull from the quarry to complete a reasonable practice, with Benzema and Mendy working on the sidelines, recovering the tone in the gym and following their respective recovery processes. The scorer, suffering from problems in the left calf, and the side, injured in the abductor, could not be against Barça, but they are expected to return against the celestials. Kroos, who has confessed that he had to receive “three stitches” after Aubameyang came on early in the game, was substituted at half-time. But, after having suffered from his hamstrings in recent days, he cleared up any doubts when he jumped to Valdebebas with the rest of his teammates.

Belgian ‘favour’…halfway

The pre-storm calm we were talking about is personified by this trio. Neither Kroos, already retired from the teamnot even the French have an appointment with their selections, so that they will be able to take advantage of these almost two weeks to prepare their bodies for the coming marathon and put aside ailments. In addition, two other regulars when leaving the international route, Courtois and Hazard, neither go with Belgium. Roberto Martínez, when it comes to friendlies, has dispensed with his heavyweights (De Bruyne and Lukaku are not going either). Welcome rest for Thibaut, who has barely allowed Lunin to play a couple of cup matches. Not so much for Eden: the man from La Louvière hasn’t been wearing shorts since February 19 against Alavés and his team appeared like an oasis in his particular desert. Favor to the goalkeeper, detriment to the end. Asensio, Lucas, Nacho, Vallejo, Marcelo, Ceballos, Isco, Mariano and Lunin himself complete the list of 14 that they will be able to recharge batteries in this vitamin break for Madrid.

Risk prevention plan

Although there are eleven white internationals who will experience a hectic break. Of course, there are two cases that make it necessary to especially cross your fingers and apply a risk prevention plan: Modric and Carvajal. It is chimerical to think that Alaba, Bale, Valverde or Camavinga, who are playing the World Cup (the first two, moreover, against each other) and the U-21 European Championship (the French), are going to save efforts; while the Brazilian quartet (Militao, Casemiro, Rodrygo and Vinicius), although classified, always has the handicap of the eternal journey; the eleventh is Jovic, which barely counts for Ancelotti. However, the Croatian and the Spanish, undisputed starters, play friendlies where damage can be minimized. An unexpected mishap would be fatal, but if it is avoidable, the reason for regret is even greater…