Real Madrid expect key midfielder to be at 100% fitness for second leg vs Atletico | OneFootball

Federico Valverde has not been at his optimal fitness level in recent games, and understandably so given his hectic schedule and the fact that he is one of the players with the most minutes in the dressing room.

After missing three games for Los Blancos through his injury problems, the Uruguayan returned to action in the all-important game against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week.

Valverde played 82 minutes on the night, racking up one assist and two key passes for Real Madrid on a night that was anything but easy.

Current fitness status

As relayed in a recent update by AS, Valverde once again did individual work in Real Madrid’s first training session after the Madrid derby raising concerns over his fitness.

Valverde has been playing with a hamstring issue in recent weeks. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

The 26-year-old is still following a specific plan to ensure he does not suffer any form of relapse of his injury but his absence from group training raised a few eyebrows, especially with a game coming up this weekend.

The Spanish outlet furthers that Real Madrid expect that Valverde will be 100% fit and available for the return leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash which will be held at the Metropolitano.

His participation this weekend against Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, will depend on what he discusses and agrees with Carlo Ancelotti and the assurance he can provide that he is not overly exerting himself.

Valverde can indeed play on Sunday without any problem, but the club’s primary objective is for him to be completely fresh for the derby. His individual training was part of the same effort.

So far this season, the Uruguayan star has made 11 starts for Real Madrid in the Champions League and has created four big chances in that duration. Further, he averages over seven defensive actions per game.