Tchouaméni and Endrick set to miss Real Madrid's clash with Málaga

Real Madrid are facing a difficult squad situation ahead of Sunday's home game against Málaga at the Santiago Bernabéu. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick both trained away from the rest of the group on Friday at Real Madrid City, and barring a late surprise, neither will be available for the third round of LaLiga fixtures.

• Tchouaméni has not returned to full training since struggling with fitness issues after the World Cup.
• José Mourinho said the Frenchman has not suffered a relapse and that the club will not rush him back.
• Endrick is recovering from minor muscle tendinitis.
• Asencio, Mendy, Militão, Rodrygo and Thiago Pitarch also trained individually.
• The rest of the squad focused on tactical work, possession drills and small-sided games.

Real Madrid's plan for Tchouaméni: no risks until he is fully fit

Tchouaméni has still not rejoined group training. The French midfielder has been dealing with physical problems since the World Cup, and the coaching staff have made a clear decision not to accelerate his recovery. Before the match against Real Sociedad, Mourinho admitted the club would be extremely careful with his return to action.

We have decided with him, the coaching staff and the medical department that he will not come back until he is at one hundred percent. We are going to wait. If it means one more week, then it is one more week, but we are not going to push him.

That cautious approach remains in place at Valdebebas. The Frenchman is expected to be left out of the squad to face Málaga while he continues with an individual plan to rebuild his fitness and match rhythm. Whether he features in the coming weeks depends entirely on how he progresses in training.

Endrick and the careful management of a tendinitis problem

Endrick's situation is slightly different. The Brazilian forward is dealing with minor muscle tendinitis, which Mourinho explained this week is being managed as a precaution to prevent it from turning into a more serious injury. The Portuguese coach did not set a concrete return date, although the aim is to have him available as soon as possible without putting his body at risk.

The young striker has shown promising flashes since arriving at Real Madrid, but the club's priority is protecting his development. His absence opens up a debate about who will fill his place in the squad to face Málaga, a match in which Los Blancos will be looking for three points to stay in the fight at the top of LaLiga.

More names on Real Madrid's injury list

Tchouaméni and Endrick were not the only players working away from the group on Friday. Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes and Thiago Pitarch also completed individual recovery work and did not take part in the collective session. The club did not provide further details on their exact condition, but their presence on the grass suggests load management rather than serious injury concerns.

How Real Madrid trained before facing Málaga

The rest of the squad took part in a demanding session at Real Madrid City. The players began with physical work on the pitch before moving into a tactical phase featuring possession drills, dribbling exercises and combination play. The day ended with several series of small-sided games, a regular feature in Mourinho's sessions designed to sharpen decision-making and pressing intensity.

The team heads into the Málaga match after an inconsistent start to the league season. Real Madrid need to rediscover a winning feeling at home and put in a convincing performance for their fans, who are expecting a competitive lineup despite the absences. The Portuguese manager will have to reshape his midfield and attacking areas given Tchouaméni's absence and Endrick's likely unavailability.

What is at stake for Real Madrid against Málaga

The third round of LaLiga brings Real Madrid up against a side in need of points. Málaga travel to the Bernabéu aiming to take something positive from the match, while Los Blancos cannot afford another slip-up if they want to stay near the top of the table. Mourinho's men need a win to avoid losing ground in what is shaping up to be a very tight title race.

Frequently asked questions about Real Madrid's absentees against Málaga