Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg.
Real Madrid will aim to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final when they welcome Bayern Munich to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night in the semi-final second leg. And Carlo Ancelotti has a near-full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
David Alaba is the only absentee for the home side heading into the final stretch of the 2023/24 season. Otherwise, the Merengues have a fully-fit squad to take on Bayern Muncih in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg this midweek.
Ancelotti discussed several subjects during his pre-match press conference, including the starting goalkeeper against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The Italian tactician also spoke about how Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have seldom played together this season.
The Real Madrid manager said, “Lunin will play tomorrow. Courtois has to take his time to get back to his best. He played against Cádiz after training very well and had an excellent game transmitting security and confidence, but he has to get back to his best.”
On Modric and Kroos, Ancelotti said, “They haven’t played together, but could do. We’re not looking at what the future will be like without them because at the moment they’re still here, they contribute a lot and we’re very happy with them.”
Wednesday will present another game that will not feature Toni Kroos and Luka Modric together in the Real Madrid starting lineup. While Kroos will return to the team, Modric will drop to the bench. The former will accompany Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park, with Jude Bellingham completing the numbers in the midfield diamond.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will start as the two attackers, having earned some rest this past weekend against Cadiz. Meanwhile, Andriy Lunin will replace Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, with the backline featuring Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, and Dani Carvajal. So, Eder Militao misses out, with his first Champions League start this season likely coming in the final if the Merengues qualify.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
