Real Madrid and Atlético will represent Spanish soccer among the 32 teams participating in this summer’s Club World Cup. The tournament will be held from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, with FIFA promising a record prize pool of more than $1 billion (about €930 million) to be distributed among the 32 participating teams.
It will be the tournament that closes a very long season which, for teams like Real Madrid, could end with around 80 games played, now fewer without the Champions League. The truth is that the heavy schedule and Carlo Ancelotti’s poor distribution of playing time have made life very difficult for Real Madrid this season. The physical demands of such a long season for a team like Madrid, which is fighting to win three titles in three different competitions, are pushing the squad to its limits. Real Madrid has accumulated nearly 60 medical reports since preseason.
One of the absences that has hurt Real Madrid the most this season has been that of Dani Carvajal, due to his great performance and importance within the dressing room. His absence has also been keenly felt, as plan B, Lucas Vázquez, has not performed as expected.
The Leganés native’s willpower has made his recovery almost miraculous, and he has already set a date for his return. “It’s going very well, little by little. The challenge is to make it to the end of May. We’ll see if we can do it,” Carvajal said on El Chiringuito.
Carvajal acknowledged several weeks ago his willingness to continue working hard and shorten his return date to the pitch. “I’m like an animal. I’m doing very well, progressing day by day, on schedule and without setbacks.” A return date that may have to be postponed a little longer.
Dani Carvajal could be sanctioned
Dani Carvajal had a clash with Bukayo Saka at the entrance to the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms, pointing his finger at him and grabbing him by the back of the neck. Not being called up did not prevent him from entering an area normally reserved for the coaching staff and players included in the matchday squad.
The Leganés player faces a possible four-match ban under Article 15 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations. Section 15.a.viii of this text stipulates a one-match ban for “participating in a match when not eligible to play, if such a sanction is deemed appropriate.”
Carvajal could also be subject to Article 15.e: “Suspension for three competitive matches or a period to be determined for assaulting another player or another person present at the match.”