Aurelien Tchouameni will return, but Toni Kroos is suspended for the game between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Monday.
Real Madrid will look to return to the summit of La Liga when they lock horns with Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Monday night. And Toni Kroos has a few pressing concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Toni Kroos will serve a one-match suspension after receiving the first red card of his career in Real Madrid’s last La Liga game. In addition, Karim Benzema and Antonio Rudiger are on the sidelines. The duo has not made the travelling squad due to minor fitness issues.
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Ancelotti provided an update on Benzema during his pre-match press conference, revealing that the French striker was not feeling right. The Real Madrid boss said, “Karim won’t play because he’s not feeling right. It looked as though he was okay but he’s struggling a bit and he won’t be available tomorrow. Against Cádiz I don’t think Rüdiger will be back, but Karim should be.”
“Karim’s lack of game time has meant we have got to see other players with real quality, like Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius. We’ve coped well with Karim being out thanks to the quality of the other lads. When we come back after the World Cup, we’ll need Karim for the second part of the season.”
Rodrygo Goes will continue to spearhead the Real Madrid attack in Benzema’s absence. Vinicius Junior is an automatic pick on the left flank. As for the right-wing berth, Marco Asensio might get another chance to impress after an excellent performance against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.
Aurelien Tchouameni is available again after recovering from his injury. And the Frenchman should assume the holding midfield berth in place of the unavailable Kroos. Luka Modric might get some rest due to his recent excursions. So Eduardo Camavinga will join Federico Valverde and Tchouameni in the middle of the park.
Rudiger’s absence means Eder Militao and David Alaba will form the central defensive partnership again. Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal pick themselves as the two full-backs. Finally, Thibaut Courtois picks himself between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius
