Spanish midfielder Isco will not be able to play in their La Liga game against Celta Vigo on Saturday, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema also sidelined with injuries.
Real Madrid got off to a winning start to their La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad, and will be hoping to continue that form against a Celta Vigo side sorely missing their former star striker Nolito.
Ahead of the game, Zinedine Zidane informed the press that 24-year-old Spanish midfielder Isco has suffered a knock and will not be playing against Celta Vigo.
“He’s got some discomfort in his ankle. Last week he took a knock on his ankle and he’s still not recovered. He left the training session and he won’t be with us tomorrow,” said Zidane, according to Sky Sports.
The Los Blancos manager also confirmed that he is happy with his current squad and will not be looking to make a late entry into the transfer market.
“Anything can happen until the 31st. Nobody is coming in, that’s certain, but it’s possible some may leave. This is the squad I’ve got and I’m happy with the players I have,” he said.
The absence of two parts of their BBC attacking trident means that Zidane will have to look to other members of the well stacked Real Madrid side for goals. Academy product Alvaro Morata is expected to start up front after returning earlier in the summer from a successful two year spell at Juventus.
Emerging youth product Marco Asensio also impressed in the opening game and is expected to start in this match as well. The 20-year-old could play in a deeper role or fill in the Ronaldo shaped hole on the left-wing. However, Colombian play-maker James Rodriguez has been anxiously awaiting a return to the first team, and this could also be his chance to shine under Zidane.
The usual midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro will have to be broken up if Asensio is to play deeper. The back four is likely to be the first choice quartet at the Santiago Bernabeu in Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Dani Carvajal. Spaniard Kiko Casilla could start in goal instead of regular number one Keylor Navas, who is still recuperating from an Achilles tendon injury.
