Real Madrid youngster making positive progress in recovery from pre-season injury

Real Madrid's young midfielder, Thiago Pitarch, is showing promising signs of recovery from a pre-season injury. Pitarch, who was just 18 years old, made his first-team debut under former manager Alvaro Arbeloa and quickly became a regular starter, even surpassing another established player, Eduardo Camavinga. During the summer, Pitarch also represented Spain at the U19 European Championship.

However, his promising career took a turn for the worse when he suffered an injury to his knee's medial collateral ligament early into the pre-season. A five-week setback has been the norm for Pitarch, but according to journalist Alvaro Esteban, the teenager is making solid progress in his recovery. The injury was expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks, but five-and-a-half weeks in, the 18-year-old academy graduate has begun training with the ball on the pitch.

Those close to Pitarch feel that his progress is on par with expectations, though there is still no definitive timeline for his return. Jose Mourinho, who took over as Real Madrid's manager following Arbeloa's departure, remains confident in Pitarch's abilities. The Portuguese tactician has expressed his positive outlook on the young player, stating that he likes Pitarch and considers him an integral part of the team.

Mourinho even compared Pitarch's leg muscles to his own, emphasizing that the youngster needs to gain some weight through rigorous training.