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Report: Real Madrid may host games at training base when La Liga restarts

JAVIER SORIANO / AFP / Getty

Real Madrid are apparently considering using their training ground for home matches when La Liga returns.

The club has been exploring the possibility of temporarily moving from the Santiago Bernabeu to its sprawling Valdebebas base for "practical and security" reasons, sources told ESPN's Rodrigo Faez and Alex Kirkland. It's understood that senior figures are broadly in favor of playing games without fans at the venue.

Another reason for the potential change is the ongoing Bernabeu renovation, which is expected to be completed in 2022. Work on the stadium was halted earlier this month after the government tightened security measures during the coronavirus pandemic, but those restrictions were relaxed last week.

Spain has had the second-most confirmed coronavirus cases in the world, with over 200,000 infections among its population of 47 million. The Iberian country has suffered nearly 21,000 deaths related to COVID-19.

The Valdebebas was shut down on March 12 when Trey Thompkins - a power forward in Real Madrid's basketball team - tested positive for the coronavirus. La Liga was suspended on the same day.

If Real Madrid are cleared to play at their training complex, they would host matches at the 6,000-capacity Alfredo Di Stefano stadium. Los Blancos' website proudly states that the Valdebebas headquarters is 40 times bigger than the Bernabeu and 2.7 times bigger than Vatican City.

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