Real Madrid arrived in the USA on Sunday for their preseason tour, and the players were back at work on Monday, as they prepare for the new season. Los Blancos currently find themselves in Chicago, Illinois, as they look ahead to their first friendly against AC Milan.
It was not the smoothest of landings for Real Madrid on American soil though. A key member of their coaching staff, fitness coach Francesco Mauri, encountered issues with his passport meaning that he could not travel. He will join up with the side in a few days time, but it has required Carlo Ancelotti to step into a more active role in their training sessions, as has been the case for Simone Montanaro, as per Relevo, who usually does video analysis.
😡😡La queja de Davide Ancelotti en el primer entrenamiento del Madrid en Chicago: "Me explican cómo podemos entrenar, ¿cómo?"
Desesperación por unos aspersores que no paraban de sacar agua en unas cantidades sin sentido. Una cosa es regar el césped y otra inundarlo @marca pic.twitter.com/o6g0TScW1X
— Joel del Río Muradás (@jdelriomuradas) July 29, 2024
Meanwhile assistant Davide Ancelotti, who leads the training sessions, could be seen saying ‘can someone explain to me how are we supposed to train?’, as the sprinklers continually soaked the grass at Flames Field. Castilla playmaker Nico Paz was also seen sweeping aside water with his foot during the session.
There were also three fitness issues. Endrick Felipe picked up a knock during an early battle with Antonio Rudiger, although it is believed to have been inconsequential. Marca also detail that Andriy Lunin was on the wrong end of Lucas Vazquez’s studs at one point too, who got to a challenge late – no lasting damage is expected.
That is not necessarily the case for Jesus Vallejo though. He had just made an impressive goal-line clearance, when he aggravated a muscle strain, preventing him from finishing the training session. It leaves youngsters Jacobo Ramon and Raul Asencion in pole position to start against Milan tomorrow night.
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