Real Madrid could get vital starter back for El Clasico

Real Madrid won’t have a match this weekend after their battle with Athletic Club was postponed.

But while they won’t have to participate in the “Old Classic” after the international break, El Clasico itself awaits Los Blancos the following weekend. That will come after Los Blancos face Shakhtar Donetsk, who beat them twice in the Champions League last year, at mid-week.

There have been some injury scares defensively for Real. Eder Militao and David Alaba suffered knocks in their recent international breaks, but, thankfully, it seems that both center backs will be able to play.

In the meantime, Real have been without fullbacks Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal, who are both instrumental to this team’s success.

Dani Carvajal could face Barcelona

We have already heard the good news that Mendy is back in training and ready to play next week, though I am sure Real will take a cautious approach with the former Lyon man.

More good news could await Real Madrid’s defense before the big match against Barcelona, as Carlos Rodriguez reports that while Dani Carvajal will not be ready in time for the Champions League fixture against Shakhtar, he is set to make his return next weekend for Sunday’s big LaLiga fixture at the Camp Nou.

Carvajal has been out since playing just 26 minutes in the narrow 2-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla on Sept. 19. The right back was expected to miss about a month with his latest injury, so an Oct. 24 return against Barcelona falls in line with the expected timeline for return.

While the constant injuries are becoming a long-term squad-planning problem for Real Madrid with regards to Carvajal, there is no question that the right back remains one of the team’s most valued players. There is not a better big-game right back or a more well-rounded player at the position, even as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s reputation has begun to exceed the decorated Madridista’s at right back.

It would be fantastic to see Carvajal in the XI at the Camp Nou. He was unable to participate in the match at the venue last season due to injury, and he would surely be itching to play next weekend. Carvajal is a fighter, though, of course, his playing style can partially explain his propensity for injuries. He only knows how to play full-throttle in defense and attack.