Thiago Pitarch was one of Real Madrid 's standout players last season and was a revelation from the academy.
Given minutes under Alvaro Arbeloa, the player made a name for himself and earner s reputation as the club's highest-rated homegrown midfield talent, and was even a regular starter at one point.
There was, thus, hope that his prominence would continue under Jose Mourinho. An untimely injury in preseason, however, derailed his plans and sidelined him for a crucial period.
Now, as reported by AS (via Bernabeu Digital ) in a recent update, Pitarch is close to making his first on-field appearance of the season this weekend.
However, it will not be in Real Madrid's high-octane clash against Atletico Madrid .
Finding his way back into the team will not be easy. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Real Madrid are planning for Pitarch to feature with the Juvenil A side in the Intercontinental U-20s this weekend in what will be his first appearance of the new season.As far as his role in the first-team dynamics goes, Jose Mourinho has Pitarch in his plans, albeit not as a starter but as a useful rotational option.As the season grows deeper and injuries begin to kick in, Pitarch may see a larger role on the side. Until then, playing for the Castilla and Juvenil A will be crucial to earn back his match fitness.
Last season, Pitarch's status as the club's highest-rated midfield prospect was almost unchallenged, but that no longer remains the same.
Sergio Martinez as a direct competitor. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Los Blancos brought in Sergio Martinez as a new signing from Racing Santander this summer, and he has been impressing in training.
Despite being registered with the subsidiary side, the player is said to be slowly working his way into the first-team dynamics, serving as a direct threat to Pitarch.
In fact, the manager is even open to handing him a first-team debut at the earliest .
A fascinating battle thus awaits us between the two Real Madrid midfield proteges.
One had the upper hand last, while one has won the manager's admiration much more recently, and it remains to be seen which of the two players has what it takes to make it big at the club.
