Explained: Why key Real Madrid duo was absent from squad vs AEK Athens

Explained: Why key Real Madrid duo was absent from squad vs AEK Athens Real Madrid will look to continue their solid form as they take on AEK Athens in Greece on Wednesday. The Spanish giants have performed extremely well in the Champions League this season and are one of five teams to still retain a hundred percent winning record. Ahead of the game, Real Madrid have announced their final squad , which excluded two key players in Aurelien Tchouameni and Arda Guler. Why Guler and Tchouameni were excluded Guler and Tchouameni are not travelling to Greece. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images) According to Diario SPORT , Real Madrid do not have to worry about any injuries as the decision to leave out both Guler and Tchouameni was purely tactical. The report adds that Mourinho has taken a decision to give both the players a rest and leave them out for the taxing midweek trip to Athens. This is part of Mourinho’s workload management program, with the Real Madrid coach instead option for summer signing Sergio Martinez. It makes even more sense considering the fact that Mourinho was hugely disappointed by La Liga’s scheduling, with Los Blancos slated to play on Saturday after a midweek trip to Greece. Will Real Madrid miss Guler and Tchouameni? Mourinho has decided to rest both Guler and Tchouameni. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) Mourinho would have ideally liked to have both Guler and Tchouameni in his wings heading into this game against AEK Athens. However, at a time both players have performed tremendously well, preserving them for more crucial matches becomes more important. While Tchouameni and Guler have indeed been critical to Real Madrid’s recent success, the club have more than enough players who can make the difference against an AEK Athens team that was thrashed 5-1 by Manchester City in the last game week. If anything, this game will be an excellent opportunity for Mourinho to identify players that can act as alternatives to these two great players. One would assume it could be a big game for Sergio Martinez, as he looks for some vital minutes, having failed to break into the first-team after his move from Racing in the summer.