A surprising return at a critical time

Facing a 3–0 deficit after the first leg in London, Real Madrid are clinging to every possible sign of optimism—and the return of Dani Ceballos might be one of them. The Spanish midfielder completed his first full training session with the group this week after recovering from a muscle and tendon injury suffered on February 26 against Real Sociedad.

In his absence, Los Blancos have struggled to find balance in midfield. Key players like Jude Bellingham, Luka Modrić, and Aurélien Tchouaméni have not shown their best form in recent games, and Eduardo Camavinga will miss the second leg due to suspension.

Although Ceballos will not be available for this weekend’s LaLiga match against Alavés, his progression has been encouraging. If everything goes smoothly, he might make the squad for the decisive showdown against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu, even if not fully match-fit.

Injuries add to Ancelotti’s concerns

Carlo Ancelotti is dealing with a long list of unavailable players. In addition to Camavinga, the Italian coach has had to manage the absences of Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Andriy Lunin, some of whom are still undergoing treatment or recovering from long-term injuries.

With back-to-back defeats to Valencia in LaLiga and Arsenal in the Champions League, the pressure is mounting. At Valdebebas, the coaching staff has intensified training, focusing on possession drills, pressure, and finishing to rebuild confidence and momentum.

In this scenario, Ceballos could offer a creative spark in midfield—his vision, tactical intelligence, and determination may prove valuable, even if he plays only part of the match. His return would not just be tactical, but emotional—a sign of resistance in the face of adversity.

Trusting in the Bernabéu and the Madrid spirit

Real Madrid’s history is filled with miraculous European comebacks, many of them written in the magic of the Bernabéu. This time, the mountain is steep, but the club is relying on every factor to believe.

If Dani Ceballos makes the squad, it will be more than just a lineup addition—it will symbolize one last bullet for Ancelotti and a flicker of hope for the fans. With the badge on their chest and the crowd behind them, Madridistas know that in their stadium, even the impossible seems possible—even with an injured man leading the charge.