Federico Valverde will start, while Dani Ceballos will be in contention to feature when Real Madrid and Real Sociedad clash on Sunday.
Real Madrid will look to extend the perfect start to the 2023/24 season when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted the return of a first-team player ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Dani Ceballos is in the matchday squad after recovering from his injury. But Ferland Mendy does not find a spot in the group despite resuming training. Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, and Vinicius Junior remain on the sidelines.
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Ancelotti spoke about players who have been injured or recovered from their issues during his pre-match press conference. On Ceballos and Mendy, he said, “Ceballos will be in the squad, but Mendy has to continue with his recovery plan because he’s not 100% and has had a lot of injuries. I think he’ll be in the squad on Wednesday.”
On Vinicius Junior, he said, “I don’t know the exact day he will be back. He’s recovering very well and we don’t want to force his recovery. The scar is fine and he’s increasing the workload. Next week, he’ll do some work with the team and we’ll see. I think he’ll recover before the 6 weeks that were said.”
With Vinicius Junior still on the sidelines, Joselu will start alongside Rodrygo Goes. The two strikers will be eager to share the scoring mantle with the in-form Jude Bellingham, who will play behind the duo.
Ancelotti will again line his side up in a 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond. Bellingham will be at the tip of that diamond, with Tchouameni sitting at the base. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga will complete the numbers in the middle of the park. So, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and the returning Ceballos will be backup options on the bench.
As for the defensive unit, Ancelotti will not look past the first-choice quartet of Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Fran Garcia. Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga will take his place between the sticks in the absence of Courtois, with Andriy Lunin finding himself on the bench again.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu
