Éder Militão Returns to Training, Providing Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso with Defensive Relief Ahead of Villarreal Clash
MADRID – Real Madrid received a meaningful boost ahead of their crucial La Liga matchup against Villarreal on Sunday as defender Éder Militão returned to training on Thursday, according to reports from Sports Illustrated. Militão’s return comes at a critical juncture for Los Blancos, who are grappling with a defensive injury crisis and reeling from a recent defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Currently sitting third in the La Liga standings,Real Madrid faces a Villarreal side only one point behind them,presenting an immediate possibility for the Yellow Submarine to overtake them. The club is already without key defenders Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, and potentially Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose return is anticipated just after the October international break. Militão’s availability offers manager Xabi Alonso a much-needed option to stabilize a vulnerable backline.
Alonso might potentially be inclined to deploy militão in a wider defensive position, given the difficulties encountered with Raúl Asencio in the right-back role. This tactical shift would allow the Spaniard to solidify the center-back pairing with Huijsen, favored over David Alaba.
The defensive concerns extend to the right-back position, where Asencio featured against Kairat in midweek, with Castilla’s David Jiménez as a potential substitute. Federico Valverde, though capable of filling in, has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the role, having been utilized there previously under Carlo Ancelotti.
