Real Madrid sweating over key decisions in three positions ahead of Atletico derby | OneFootball

There is barely time to breathe at Real Madrid.

After beating Manchester City in the Champions League, attention has already shifted to one of the biggest fixtures in the domestic calendar. 

The Madrid derby awaits this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, and preparation has already begun.

Alvaro Arbeloa has wasted no time in regrouping his squad. The players are scheduled to return to training today, knowing well that the challenge ahead is very different from what they faced in Europe. 

Atletico Madrid bring intensity, structure, and a level of physical demand that often turns these games into battles rather than spectacles.

Right now, Arbeloa has decisions to make, as the biggest concerns revolve around fitness.

What’s the story?

Thibaut Courtois remains a major doubt heading into the derby. The Belgian goalkeeper is dealing with discomfort in the abductor muscle of his right leg, and as things stand, his chances of starting appear slim. 

In that scenario, Andriy Lunin is expected to step in and importantly.

Then there is Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has only just returned from injury and featured briefly against City, but whether he is ready to start remains unclear. 

Mbappe remains a doubt for Real Madrid. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

His presence alone changes the dynamics of Madrid’s attack, but rushing him back could also disrupt the balance the team has recently found.

That brings us to the attacking dilemma.

So what now?

In Mbappe’s absence, Brahim Diaz has done well. Over the past two weeks, he has added a different kind of energy in the final third. 

Dropping him now would feel harsh, but at Real Madrid, hierarchy matters. 

This means Mbappe is the player who has scored 38 goals in 33 matches this season. If he is fit, he plays. Simple as that.

The question is whether Arbeloa adjusts his system to accommodate him or sticks with what has been working.

Furthermore, Gonzalo García offers a more traditional profile as a centre-forward and he can be an option too. 

Problems in defence

Elsewhere, the left-back position is another area of uncertainty.

Alvaro Carreras Carreras is back in full training, while Fran Garcia delivered solid performances against Manchester City. 

It leaves Arbeloa with two viable options for one role, a good problem on paper, but a complicated one in practice.