Real Madrid completed their first session in Australia with Keylor Navas training as normal. The limp that the goalkeeper had when he landed in Melbourne amounted to nothing and he worked at the same pace as Fernando Pacheco and Rubén Yáñez with goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero. We will have to see if he has completely shaken off the tendinitis in his Achilles tendon to play against Roma on July 18.
The training session started with Rafa Benítez talking to his players for five minutes. After warming-up (always with the ball), Danilo worked away from his team-mates with Eduardo Parra, one of the club’s new physiotherapists. It is part of the plan to further strengthen the right ankle that he injured on June 8. In the afternoon, during the 15 minutes that were open to the press, he trained with the team.
During the rest of the session that was open to the press, the team worked on possession in tight spaces and with few touches. Benítez divided his players into two teams. Those wearing bibs included: Nacho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Martin Odegaard, Marcos Llorente, José Carlos Lazo, Lucas Vázquez, Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric. Those without bibs included: Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Álvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Denis Cheryshev, Lucas Silva and Jesé. Marcelo was the wildcard.
During the exercise, Fabio Pecchia, Benítez’s No.2, was calling for “intensity”, “pressure” and “touch”. He also applauded every good action. His voice was the loudest at AAMI Park. Pecchia, Antonio Gómez and Paco de Miguel bore the weight of the session. Benítez watched attentively and corrected some details, in true English style.
In the afternoon session, not much went on in the 15 minutes which were open for viewing. The players took part in rondos, Cristiano suffered a small blow following a challenge from Pepe, while Arbeloa did the same to Illarramendi. They will carry out another double session tomorrow (Wednesday).