Tchouaméni Boost for Real Madrid Before La Liga Opener

Real Madrid’s midfield plans for the new La Liga season have cleared up at just the right moment. Aurélien Tchouaméni has shaken off the muscle strain that sidelined him from recent sessions and is expected to be ready for the league curtain-raiser.

Spanish radio journalist Arancha Rodríguez of Cope reported on Sunday that the French international should be fit to face Espanyol next Saturday, when Los Blancos launch their domestic campaign away from home.

Tchouaméni had rejoined Madrid training after his World Cup duties with France, only to be slowed by a muscular issue that forced him to work separately from the main group. The club kept him on an individual programme, gradually increasing his workload as his condition improved.

That cautious approach now looks to have paid off. The 24-year-old is understood to be edging back toward full involvement just as Carlo Ancelotti shapes his starting XI for the first competitive match of the season.

Before that trip to Espanyol, Real Madrid still have one final dress rehearsal. They face German side Schalke on Sunday in their last pre-season friendly, a final chance to fine-tune rhythm and roles before the real business begins.