Real Madrid hand major boost: Rüdiger, Militão and Fran García back for Girona test

Real Madrid received a timely defensive lift ahead of the Girona clash as the coach confirmed Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão and Fran García are back in the squad. Young defender Huijsen still needs more time to recover, while a final decision on Asensio will be made on matchday. The updates arrive on the eve of a top-of-the-table pressure game, with the fanbase buzzing about a potential Rüdiger - Militão pairing from the first whistle. The squad should look far more balanced than last week, and Madrid’s back line finally regains pace, height and aggression at both ends.

Pre-match media availability in Madrid on the eve of the Girona game, where the coaching staff delivered a concise squad update on returning defenders and pending fitness checks.

The briefing followed the final training session before the match, framing the timeline for returns and outlining late decisions that hinge on overnight reactions and matchday assessments.

🚨🗣 Xabi Alonso: "Rüdiger, Militão and Franco are BACK. Huijsen needs more time. Asencio? We will see tomorrow."

@MadridXtra

Impact Analysis

This is exactly the type of reinforcement Madrid needed for a Girona side that thrives on rapid wide combinations and second-wave arrivals. With Rüdiger back, Madrid regain their most combative aerial presence and a vocal organizer who drags the line higher without losing bite in duels. Militão’s return restores recovery pace in depth, a key antidote to Girona’s diagonal balls into the half-spaces and back-post overloads. Fran García adds natural width and timing on the overlap, letting the right side tuck in to protect the box when possession turns over.

Structurally, this should unlock a cleaner first pass out from the back. Rüdiger’s vertical carries can force the first line to commit, while Militão’s comfort on the right side pairs well with a ball-playing pivot stepping in to form a 3+1 on the build. Set pieces swing back in Madrid’s favor too. Rüdiger and Militão both attack the near-post lanes with conviction, and their presence typically lifts expected goals from restarts.

The caveat: minutes management. After absences, sharpness over 90 minutes is not guaranteed. Expect micro-adjustments in the pressing height and a slightly more conservative rest-defense shape in the opening quarter-hour. Even at 85 to 90 percent, though, the pairing upgrades Madrid’s floor immediately and raises the ceiling against a Girona attack that punishes hesitation between lines.

Reaction

The fan pulse is upbeat. One comment compared the roll call to a classroom check-in: “Rüdiger? Here. Militão? Here. Franco? Present.” It captures the mood perfectly - relief backed by humor. Another thread voiced the obvious caution: winning with unfit defenders is a risk, a reminder that chemistry and rhythm matter as much as names on a teamsheet. Several supporters pleaded to see a full Rüdiger - Militão partnership, with a few asking directly if Rüdiger is ready to start against Girona.

Plenty called this a defensive booster and predicted a more balanced squad than last week. Some pushed for further reinforcements, a standard refrain when injuries have forced square pegs into round holes. Others simply celebrated the energy bump: “That’s fantastic news, let’s see them dominate tomorrow.” The tenor overall is clear - confidence returning, tempered by the reality that match rhythm after a layoff can be fickle. The consensus: the back line finally looks like itself again.

Social reactions

Is Rüdiger going to play next match VS Girona?

Mukhtar (@Mukhtar77000)

That's fantastic news, let's see them dominate tomorrow!

Yanah (@YanaSn0w1)

Bring in more players

Magiks (@Magiks)

Prediction

Two likely scenarios. One, Madrid start Rüdiger and Militão together, aiming to impose a higher defensive line and compress Girona’s midfield platforms. If this lands, Madrid control territory, win aerials on both boxes, and kill transitions at source. Fran García then provides width to rotate the front line and pin Girona’s wingbacks deep.

Two, a phased return. One of the center backs starts with a planned substitution around the hour mark to manage load, preserving intensity for a congested run. Madrid will still tick up in defensive reliability, but the press height will be more elastic and the team will lean on structured rest-defense rather than aggressive counter-press chains.

Huijsen’s “needs more time” reads as a medium timeline, so minutes there seem unlikely in the immediate short term. The late call on Asensio suggests a bench appearance at most. Net-net, Madrid’s expected goals against should drop, and set-piece xThreat should rise. A narrow, controlled win becomes the base case if the returning defenders clear the first 20 minutes cleanly.

Latest today

• Arsenal’s Rice-Caicedo what-if ignites push for Zubimendi as Arteta sharpens midfield plan
• Xabi Alonso holds Athens sit-down with Vinicius Jr and Fede Valverde to tighten squad bond
• Real Madrid step away from Konaté, lock in 2026 CB plan - Guehi, Schlotterbeck, Bastoni on...
• Cristian Orozco spotted at Old Trafford - Manchester United line up next move as Wharton p...

Conclusion

Madrid have been waiting for this moment. With Rüdiger and Militão back in tandem and Fran García restoring natural balance on the left, the spine regains its identity. Girona will still test spacing and discipline, but Madrid now have the legs to defend the width and the power to own the air. The plan should be pragmatic early, then bolder as match rhythm returns. Even with a couple of late calls pending, the squad profile looks closer to the model that banked results at the highest level.

Results in tight La Liga races swing on margins at both ends. Today’s update adds inches in the box, speed in recovery, and personality in duels. That’s usually enough to tilt the field. If the medical and performance staff nail the minutes management, this defensive reset becomes the launchpad for a decisive winter run.