Injuries continue to affect Alvaro Arbeloa’s plans. The team is going through a difficult time and could travel to Vigo with up to 10 players missing. It is a considerable problem for the coach, who will try to ensure that Barcelona does not escape even further in LaLiga, with Manchester City on the horizon.
Injuries continue to plague the Real Madrid team with key absentees such as Militao, Bellingham, Ceballos, Mbappe and Rodrygo, all of whom are out through injury. Added to this list is the uncertainty surrounding David Alaba, who is suffering from a calf problem and whose progress is being monitored cautiously. In addition, the suspensions of Carreras, Huijsen and Mastantuono further reduce the alternatives available to the coaching staff. The only positive note was provided by Asencio, who has asked to travel to help the team, after completing part of the session with the group.
A 19-year-old left-footed centre-back… with a privileged physique
In this context, training at Valdebebas included the presence of up to eight youth players. One of those who left the best impression was Lamini Fati, a 19-year-old left-sided central defender who could have a chance of being included in the squad for the trip to Vigo. “Alaba is not going to make it, but Asencio might; we’ll see now. And if not… then Diego Aguado or Lamini Fati would play. We’ll see. But Alaba won’t be there, that’s for sure,” Arbeloa said in his pre-match press conference. Afterwards, there was a training session that again included the presence of the young central defender.
According to reports from Valdebebas, the defender stood out in several of the exercises carried out, showing good reading to adjust his position after losing the ball and quickness to close down space in open field. Physically strong and with speed in long runs, he is a defender who transmits security in individual duels and adapts naturally to scenarios of advanced defense. Two qualities that fit especially well in Real Madrid’s style of play. In addition, without being a giant, Lamini has great aerial power supported by a strong lower body and good timing. However, his great virtue is that he does not mind enjoying football without worrying too much about what is left behind.
Formed at Leganes before joining the white club in early 2025 after a payment of 100,000 euros, he first joined the Juvenil A and then made the leap to Castilla, from where his progression has allowed him to start to appear more frequently with the first team. With injuries also hitting Castilla in the center of defense (Joan Martinez and Valde), the left-sided center-back has stepped up to the plate. Against Ponferradina, with Mastantuono and Arbeloa in the stands, Lamini had one of his best games alongside Mario Rivas.
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