Nearly five months into his tenure, Xabi Alonso is leaving his mark on the Real Madrid squad, particularly through his unwavering trust in the club’s youth academy. This was evident during Wednesday’s training session, which saw the promising talent Joan Martinez making strides towards securing a place in the first team. The 18-year-old central defender is eager to make up for lost time after a lengthy absence due to a severe injury that kept him off the pitch for 424 days.
Martinez has been working hard to regain his form since returning to action, initially with the Castilla team during pre-season. In his eight appearances for the reserve side, he has accumulated 609 minutes of playing time, showcasing his determination and skill. According to reports from MARCA, Xabi Alonso has not overlooked Martinez, who is now positioning himself as a viable option within the coach’s plans. He even made a start during a recent friendly match while the first team was on international break.
Opportunity Knocks for Martinez
With key players such as Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger set to miss upcoming fixtures, Martinez may find himself with a crucial opportunity to feature in Alonso’s central defense strategy. His recent performances indicate that he could be an integral part of the squad moving forward. The young defender’s resilience and commitment have certainly caught the eye of his new coach, who values youth and potential.
Mastantuono Returns Just in Time
Joining Martinez in training was Franco Mastantuono, another young talent who is also making his return after a shorter recovery period. The Argentine prodigy had to leave the national team prematurely due to a muscle overload but has now reassured the Madrid setup with his presence on the training ground. Reports suggest that Mastantuono will be available for selection ahead of this Sunday’s match against Getafe at 21:00.
This news comes as a relief for Alonso and his coaching staff, who are grappling with multiple absences in their defensive lineup, including Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy. The return of both Martinez and Mastantuono could provide much-needed depth as Real Madrid navigates through a challenging stretch of fixtures.
As the ninth round of La Liga approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how these young talents integrate into Alonso’s plans. Can they help bolster Madrid’s title challenge? Only time will tell.
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