Zinedine Zidane will be without the services of three key players, as he prepares his Real Madrid side to host SD Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.
As per the final training session report on the official website of the reigning champions, Gareth Bale, Keylor Navas, Mateo Kovacic and Dani Carvajal did not train with the team, but were still in recovery and so, will not feature in today’s game against the Basque outfit.
Keylor Navas started and played their 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, but won’t be starting tonight. Speaking about Navas in his press conference, Zidane said: “We did not risk Keylor the other day. it was a new injury, not the same one. This is football, so its nothing to worry about.
? Zidane: “We’ve recovered, fighting fit and ready for the @SDEibar game.”
READ: https://t.co/TZBLgqFWSf#RMLiga pic.twitter.com/ToNRrhqybj
— Real Madrid C.F.?? (@realmadriden) October 21, 2017
As as a result, Kiko Casilla will be able to start in a second consecutive league match. 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi, who has constantly impressed since making his debut, is also expected to retain his place in the starting XI at right back as a replacement for Dani Carvajal.
Given that Los Blancos last played on Tuesday, they would have had enough rest to field a full strength starting XI for this tie and won’t have to compromise on their personnel. They face second tier side SD Fuenlabrada on Thursday in the Copa del Rey , and it is likely that a number of these players will be rested then.
As for the visitors,they will be without the services of a number of players. Jose Luis Mendilibar has 19 players available to him and has taken all of them to Madrid. As per their official website, Yoel Rodriguez , Fran Rico, Pedro León, Iván Alejo and Iván Ramis have been ruled out for this tie.
