Major boost for Real Madrid as key midfielder ready to start vs Atletico | OneFootball

In a major boost for Real Madrid, AS reports that key midfielder Federico Valverde is all set to start against Atletico Madrid after training with the rest of the group today.

The reigning European champions have been sweating over the fitness of the 26-year-old midfielder after he missed back-to-back matches against Girona, Real Sociedad and Real Betis due to a hamstring problem.

Valverde did not train with the rest of the group on Sunday either, casting further doubts on his availability for tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League encounter against Atletico.

Valverde seems ready

However, now, according to AS, Valverde trained with the squad as normal and looks set to feature in the Madrid derby against Atletico in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu this Tuesday.

Valverde seems ready to start vs Atletico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Wearing a hat and a neck warmer to combat the cold, the Uruguayan completed the session at Valdebebas without any issues.

In principle, he should be available to start in the derby, although it remains to be seen whether he will play as a right-back – as he did in both matches against Manchester City in the play-off round – or in midfield.

Only three absentees in training

The rest of the squad trained as expected, with only the already confirmed absentees – Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, and Dani Ceballos – missing the session due to injury.

Carlo Ancelotti also included several academy players in the session: goalkeepers Sergio Mestre and Fran Gonzalez, defender Lorenzo Aguado, midfielder Andres Campos, and forwards Loren Zuniga and Gonzalo Garcia.

It remains to be seen if any of them will be included in the squad.