Real Madrid find themselves in a very unfavourable situation heading into the international break, following their 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The Merengues feel hard done by some controversial officiating, but the performance was from from the level expected, and they now find themselves six points behind league leaders and arch-rivals FC Barcelona.

Now, according to journalist Sergio Quirante on DAZN , Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has given his players a full one week off after the derby defeat at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

The Portuguese tactician has only seven first-team players at his disposal for the next three weeks, with the rest of the squad away on international duty.

Indeed, Mourinho will only have Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Alvaro Carreras, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Thiago Pitarch at his command.

Valverde suffered an injury vs Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Federico Valverde will also stay back but his availability is uncertain after the injury he suffered in the derby.

Rodrygo Goes, Ferland Mendy, and Eder Militao are also recovering from their respective injuries.