Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged this in a press conference held before his students’ first and only training session on Portuguese territory. “Today we trained with everyone who has traveled, and then I will make the decision to put the eleven in,” he said. “I need to assess the health of a few players, particularly those like Alaba and Mendy, who have returned from injuries. He examined potential rotations while taking his players’ physical conditions into consideration, both in the Classic and with Nacho and Fran’s comeback.

Additionally, the difficult three-game stretch that began with Sevilla compelled the Italian coach to rearrange his lineup in order to compensate the teams, manage his players’ spirits, and arrange the elevens while accounting for playtime and travel time (the selection break): Regarding the midfield, he clarified, “You have to carefully evaluate what they can contribute, give them rest, and keep the entire squad happy.” Eduardo Camavinga was the first to rotate; he played just 23 minutes in the Pizjuán. A player who was in peak fitness was rested by Carlo in anticipation of the Champions League match. But just before it ended, Real Madrid’s training session at the SC Braga stadium gave rise to worry.

With two White Club physicians by his side, the French midfielder withdrew to the locker room and placed his hand on his right leg. As he made his way through the tunnel to the locker room, he tried to convey what he had just felt. A potential blow that might compel the coach to alter the starting eleven, as Carlo already hinted at during the news conference. The remaining players continued to play and attempt many shots on goal, with the exception of Tchouaméni, who left the game seconds ahead of his countryman despite failing to notify the White Club’s medical staff of his ailment.