Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Cadiz at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Sunday.
Real Madrid will aim to continue stitching a winning run when they lock horns with Cadiz at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Sunday evening. But Carlo Ancelotti has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga are the latest absentees after picking up their injuries during the international break. The young duo has joined Thibaut Courtois, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines.
But there is some good news, as Dani Ceballos has recovered from his recent issues to be part of the travelling squad to take on Cadiz. In addition, Rodrygo Goes has shrugged off a knock and is available this weekend.
Ancelotti discussed the injuries and other issues hampering his squad during his pre-match press conference. On the injuries and midfield issues, he said, “I’m not going to use Alaba in midfield because we have options like Ceballos. He’s an important player, he’s played very little but he’ll help us a lot. Bellingham is also returning and he can play inside.”
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“We’re a player short up front because of the injury to Vinicius. However, we have Brahim and we have also brought in Gonzalo, who has progressed very well in the youth system along with Nico Paz. Vinicius didn’t play for a month and we had good results. Without Bellingham we scored five goals against Valencia. When a player gets injured I can see how sad he is, but that can happen.”
While Kepa has resumed training, he is not fit enough to feature this weekend. So, Andriy Lunin will take his spot between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him.
The defensive unit might see a change or two, with Antonio Rudiger returning to the starting lineup. Rudiger will be David Alaba’s central defensive partner, with Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy being the two full-backs.
As for the midfield unit, the injury-enforced absence of a few players has reduced Ancelotti’s options. So, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric will make a rare start together. Kroos will sit at the base of the diamond, with Modric and Federico Valverde being the two box-to-box midfielders.
Jude Bellingham will reprise his usual no. 10 role, sitting at the tip of the diamond. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior’s absence means Brahim Diaz might start up front, with Rodrygo Goes completing the numbers in the final third. So, Joselu will find himself on the bench, with Ceballos being another backup option.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
