Real Madrid Monitor Arda Güler and Fede Valverde Ahead of Racing Santander Trip
Real Madrid are carefully managing the workloads of two important players as they prepare for Sunday’s away match against Racing Santander. Arda Güler and Fede Valverde have trained separately from the main group for a second consecutive day, prompting attention from supporters ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
According to reports from Sport, both players worked individually at the club’s Valdebebas training complex on Thursday after spending the previous day in the gym. The separate programme appears to be a precaution rather than a sign of a serious setback. Valverde’s medical checks reportedly found no injury, while Güler is experiencing mild muscular fatigue.
Real Madrid have not ruled either player out of the Racing match, and both are expected to have a chance of being available. Friday’s session should provide a clearer indication of their condition and whether they can return to full team training before the squad travels.
Why Valverde’s fitness matters
Valverde’s availability is particularly important given the volume of football he has played this season. The midfielder, who is also Real Madrid’s captain, has accumulated 1,071 minutes across 13 appearances in all competitions. In La Liga, he has started every one of the club’s first 10 matches, playing 801 minutes.
Those figures underline his value as both a dependable starter and a versatile option. Valverde’s energy helps Madrid connect defence and attack, while his ability to cover ground can be crucial when the team is pressed or needs to protect a lead. Managing his workload now could help the club avoid a more serious problem later in the season.
His recent medical assessment will therefore be welcome news for the coaching staff. Even so, Madrid have reason to be cautious: a player who has featured so consistently may benefit from a controlled return, especially with several away games approaching in quick succession.
Güler remains a key attacking influence
Güler has also become an increasingly important part of Madrid’s plans. The Turkey international has made 12 appearances in all competitions, recording three goals and four assists in 702 minutes. He has featured in every league round so far, starting eight of those matches.
His contribution goes beyond the numbers. Güler offers creativity between the lines, can help unlock compact defences and gives Madrid another route to goal when their usual attacking patterns are restricted. His left-footed passing and willingness to take on defenders can make a difference in tight matches, particularly against opponents who defend deep.
The club’s description of his issue as slight muscular fatigue suggests that the current individual work is intended to manage his condition rather than signal a major injury. Still, Madrid will want to assess how he responds to training before deciding whether he is ready to play a full role against Racing Santander.
A demanding month of away fixtures
The timing of the fitness checks matters because Madrid are about to begin a busy stretch away from home. Their immediate challenge is Sunday’s visit to Racing Santander, followed by a trip to Athens to face AEK on 4 November. The team then travels to the Mestalla to meet Valencia on Saturday, 7 November.
Three away matches in a short period can test a squad’s depth as much as its quality. Travel, recovery time and changes in opposition all place extra demands on players, particularly those who have already carried heavy minutes. A careful approach to Valverde and Güler could help preserve two influential options for the entire sequence rather than risking their fitness in a single fixture.
For Madrid, the Racing match is not only an opportunity to collect points but also a chance to begin the road trip on the right note. The hosts will be eager to make the most of playing at home, so the visitors may need patience, control in midfield and sharp decision-making in the final third. Güler’s creativity and Valverde’s work rate could both be valuable if they are fit enough to feature.
Other players continue individual work
Valverde and Güler were not the only players following separate programmes. Raúl Asencio trained alone, while Rodrygo continued his recovery work. The rest of the squad completed a session that included ball exercises, tactical preparation and small-sided games.
That mix of work suggests the coaching staff are balancing physical preparation with match-specific planning. Small-sided games can sharpen quick passing and decision-making, while tactical drills help players prepare for the shape and pressing patterns they may face against Racing.
Training is scheduled to resume on Friday, when Madrid’s medical and coaching staff will have another opportunity to assess the two midfielders’ progress. Their response to the session should help determine whether they return to the group and how much involvement they might have at the weekend.
Racing Santander match prediction: fitness could shape Madrid’s approach
Any football prediction for Sunday’s contest must account for Madrid’s squad management as well as the difference in resources between the teams. If Valverde and Güler are available, Madrid would have more balance and invention in midfield. If either is rested, the coaching staff may need to adjust the starting lineup or rely more heavily on other creative options.
Madrid will likely aim to control possession and create openings through patient build-up, while Racing can look to use home support and quick transitions to unsettle the visitors. The key question is whether the away side can turn territorial control into clear chances without overworking players who are being managed carefully.
For now, there is no indication that either Valverde or Güler faces a serious injury. The next training session will be an important checkpoint, but the broader priority is clear: keep two central contributors available for a packed schedule. Madrid supporters will be watching Friday’s update closely as the club prepares for the first of three consecutive away challenges.
