Oblak has already been discharged
The Madrid derby loomed with questions about Karim Benzema’s health and Real Madrid’s readiness. Early signs pointed to a setback for the French striker, sidelining him as Madrid prepared to face Atletico. The squad faced the week with uncertainty, and Benzema’s absence from training sessions underscored the club’s cautious approach as he contended with a muscle issue that could stretch its impact into early October. The team aimed to maintain momentum despite the injury, knowing the derby would be a tough test without one of their talismans.
Benzema had made attempts to be ready for the clash, but his efforts did not translate into on-field participation. Saturday brought little improvement; the player did not appear in the public training session alongside his teammates, reinforcing the likelihood that his participation would hinge on medical updates and late decisions. His absence, paired with Lucas Vázquez working solo on the sidelines, left Real Madrid to finalize preparations for the meeting with their city rivals at the Metropolitano with a slightly altered lineup and approach.
Madrid had already endured a rough run with Benzema’s pattern of injuries, having struggled in previous fixtures against Celtic, Mallorca, and Leipzig, with questions about the severity of the right knee and a possible double strain in the right thigh. The initial speculation suggested a light setback, but the reality pointed toward a longer layoff as La Liga opponents loomed after the international break, with a return anticipated around October 2 in a match versus Osasuna.
Training sessions on the day offered a mix of recovery and preparation. After a focused half-hour at the facilities of the sports city, the team moved to the main practice ground for the final session. Thibaut Courtois worked from the outset, guarding the goal while outfield players performed a brisk warm-up before engaging in ball work that included the Brazilian star presence. Eder Militao, who had been managing a minor muscle issue, was fully fit and ready to rejoin the squad for the contest.
Oblak has already been discharged
Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone faced questions about the goalkeeper situation. Jan Oblak, who had missed two competitive fixtures due to a left thigh bruise, was expected to be back in goal for the derby. Simeone spoke with conviction, confirming that Oblak would be involved after returning to group training on Saturday and resuming full duties for the first time since the injury, with a sense of confidence about his readiness to contend for the position against Real Sociedad and subsequent fixtures. The Slovenian shot-stopper had sat out matches against Celta and Bayer Leverkusen, with Ivo Grbic stepping in during the interim, but the trajectory suggested Oblak would reclaim his starting role for the weekend clash.
The coach acknowledged that Oblak’s return would be a relief for the squad, given the ongoing concerns about other players sidelined by injuries. Simeone pointed out that several teammates remained unavailable or managed through the week, including Savic with a muscular injury, Giménez facing back issues, Lemar battling a muscular contracture, and Reguilón recovering from pubalgia surgery. The balance of risk and recovery shaped the team’s plan as they approached the derby, with Lemar showing signs of improvement while others monitored their conditions. The sense in the camp was that the squad needed to manage minutes carefully and keep options flexible as match day approached.
On the field, Lemar appeared during portions of the training session, walking and running as he continued his recovery from illness that had sidelined him in the lead-up to the previous league clash. Giménez and Savic were not cleared for the day’s activities, with both players missing a third consecutive game as the team prepared to meet Real Madrid. Reguilón’s status remained uncertain, with a plan in place for a return after the next international window, aligning with the broader strategy of reintegrating players gradually after the national team break. The focus remained on maintaining a cohesive unit while rotating personnel to address the depth concerns that had surfaced earlier in the season.
The derby, set to unfold in front of a packed crowd, carried the weight of expectations from both sides. Atletico sought to leverage home-field advantage and a resilient defense, while Real Madrid looked to counter with speed and clinical finishing in Benzema’s absence. The tactical chess match promised to be intense, with Simeone and his staff keen to exploit every opportunity to gain an edge while managing the risks associated with returning players and fixture congestion. The atmosphere around the club suggested a blend of caution and determination, a commitment to competing at the highest level despite the setbacks of the week.