Real Madrid returned to training on Friday after a rest day with several important updates on the physical front. The session brought progress in the recoveries of Thibaut Courtois, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militao, and Franco Mastantuono, while centre-back Dean Huijsen remains a major doubt for Sunday’s trip to Girona.

With Dani Carvajal and David Alaba ruled out for Montilivi, Xabi Alonso closely monitored the evolution of players dealing with discomfort. Huijsen, suffering from a muscle overload in his left thigh, worked alone once again inside the facilities and, according to club sources, has very slim chances of making the squad list.

Defense on High Alert Ahead of the Girona Clash

Despite the problems at the back, the coaching staff did receive encouraging news. Rüdiger completed a large portion of the session with the group and will undergo a final test on Saturday. Militao, meanwhile, participated in several phases of training and will increase his workload to determine whether he is ready to compete.

Both Álvaro Carreras and Raúl Asencio, who finished the match against Olympiacos with discomfort, are progressing well and are expected to be available. In goal, Courtois returned to normal activity after overcoming a viral illness and trained at full intensity in Valdebebas.

Another positive development was the presence of Franco Mastantuono, whose pubalgia has eased over recent weeks. The Argentine, out since November 1, could return to a key squad list for a Madrid side that needs to halt their league run of two consecutive draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

The final decision will come from Xabi Alonso after Saturday’s session at 11:00 a.m., ahead of Sunday’s match, where the LaLiga leaders defend a narrow one-point advantage over Barcelona.

Real Madrid Rule Out Signing Konaté

Amid this defensive situation, news surfaced from England regarding the future of Ibrahima Konaté. According to The Athletic, Real Madrid have already informed Liverpool that they are not interested in signing the French international, whose contract with the Reds expires on June 30.

Konaté will become a free agent on January 1, when he will be able to negotiate with any club. Despite this, the Spanish giants have reportedly decided not to enter the race for the centre-back, even given their current defensive crisis.

The news comes at a delicate moment for Liverpool, who are engulfed in a deep slump. Arne Slot’s side, reigning Premier League champions, have suffered nine defeats in their last twelve matches and an alarming 10-1 aggregate in their most recent trio of fixtures against PSV, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City.

Konaté himself stated on November 15 that “my agents are still negotiating with Liverpool,” reminding everyone that he arrived at Anfield in 2021 after his spell at RB Leipzig. “I will make a decision very soon,” added the Paris-born defender.