Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard are expected to return to the Real Madrid starting lineup when they face Galatasaray at the Turk Telekom Stadium.
Real Madrid will be desperate to get their first UEFA Champions League win of the season when they lock horns with Galatasaray at the Turk Telekom Stadium on Tuesday. And, Zinedine Zidane has seen his squad’s injury woes ease up ahead of Los Blancos‘ third Group A fixture.
The Real Madrid boss did not provide any update pertaining to team news, with the focus being on his team’s performance. During his pre-match press conference, Zidane placed his faith in his squad, insisting that the players will deliver the goods against Galatasaray.
“The players are the first ones who always want to win and there’s no question about that. They know we’re under scrutiny in every game. We’ve got another game tomorrow to show that we want to turn things around. We shouldn’t be pointing the finger at anyone. We’re all in the same boat and I trust my squad. We’ll go out there tomorrow to put in a good display.”
? Our 21-man squad for the match against @Galatasaray!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/LHRsunJdX9
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) October 20, 2019
There had been no issues whatsoever in the goalkeeping department, with Thibaut Courtois and Alphonse Areola both being at Zidane’s disposal. And, Courtois is expected to keep hold of his place, although he will be desperate to keep a clean sheet against Galatasaray.
The barrage of good news beginds from the defensive department, with Ferland Mendy part of the traveling squad to face Galatasaray. The Frenchman seems to have shrugged off the thigh injury that has kept him out of action for nearly a month and should replace Marcelo on the left side of the Real Madrid defence.
On the opposite flank, Dani Carvajal is likely to Alvaro Odriozola after being rested on the weekend. Raphael Varane, too, was given a breather against RCD Mallorca and should replace Eder Militao to be Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos’s central defensive partner.
Another bit of good news is the return of Toni Kroos, who has recovered from his groin injury, although Luka Modric (thigh) remains unavailable. Kroos, however, will likely return to the three-man midfield, where he ought to have Casemiro and Federico Valverde as his companions.
Up ahead in attack, Gareth Bale (knock) and Lucas Vazquez (calf) remain absent due to their respective fitness troubles. But, Eden Hazard is back in the squad after missing out this past weekend due to the birth of his fourth child.
Hazard should immediately return to the side, replacing the underperforming Luka Jovic. On the right side of the Real Madrid attack, Vinicius Jr. is expected to replace James Rodriguez, while Karim Benzema will lead the line against Galatasaray.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Vinicius Jr., Benzema, Hazard
