Dani Ceballos will return, while Eduardo Camavinga will start as a left-back when Real Madrid and Real Sociedad meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will look to keep pace with Barcelona in La Liga when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ferland Mendy is unavailable due to a hamstring injury he sustained against Atletico Madrid this week. The Frenchman has joined David Alaba (leg), Dani Carvajal (muscle injury), Lucas Vazquez (ankle), and Aurelien Tchouameni (leg) on the sidelines. But Eden Hazard has resumed training and returned to the Real Madrid squad.
During his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti spoke about the injured players. The Italian tactician also praised the fringe players who have stepped up in the last few games amid Real Madrid’s injury crisis.
Ancelotti said, “He [Carvajal] did well in the early stage of the season. Now he’s on the way back from injury and we trust him, as we always have. He has so much experience and he’ll contribute in the second half of the season. He’ll be available for the next match, as will Alaba and Tchouameni, who will be back against Valencia on Thursday.”
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“They all have a great attitude. I have a fantastic team in this sense and nobody ever gives up. They’re always focused and showing me they can play. Camavinga, Ceballos and Asensio have done a great job, just at a time when we really need everyone to chip in.”
Ceballos will be one of the fringe players featuring for Real Madrid on Sunday. The Spaniard should come into the midfield unit in place of Eduardo Camavinga. And Ceballos will join Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the midfield trifecta.
But Camavinga will not drop out of the starting lineup due to Mendy’s absence. The Frenchman has showcased his ability to play as a left-back this season and should reprise the role on Sunday. And Camavinga will join Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Nacho in the defensive unit. The quartet will protect Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.
The offensive unit should remain unchanged, with Federico Valverde starting on the right flank again. So Rodrygo Goes will be on the bench alongside Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio. Finally, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior will complete the attack against Real Sociedad.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Camavinga; Kroos, Ceballos, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
