Toni Kroos will play his final game for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu when they face Real Betis on Saturday.
La Liga champions Real Madrid will bring the curtains down on their league campaign when they welcome Real Betis to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Aurelien Tchouameni remains on the sidelines due to a foot injury. The French international accompanies David Alaba in the treatment room, with the Austrian utility man recovering from a knee injury. Otherwise, the hosts have a strong matchday squad.
Ancelotti provided a fitness update on Tchouameni during his pre-match press conference and spoke about Toni Kroos’s decision to retire. He said, “He’ll miss the final. I think he should recover in time for the Euros.”
On Kroos, the Real Madrid manager said, “We say goodbye to a legend tomorrow. There are so many things we can enjoy. It’s an important day and the fans will be with us like they have all season. Legends have to decide their own end and how to finish here.”
“Kroos has made his decision, we have to respect it. We will say goodbye in the best way we can. It’s the decision of a man with balls. We talked about this. He was convinced and wanted to say goodbye on a high note. Saying goodbye like this would be ideal. Everyone wants to, but you have to have the courage to make the decision.”
Kroos will take his place in the midfield unit, lining up in the middle of the park for Real Madrid for the final time in La Liga, with Saturday’s game being his Santiago Bernabeu farewell. The German international will accompany Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga in the central areas, with Jude Bellingham reprising his usual role.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo should be the two attackers, while Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, and Ferland Mendy will form the backline. Finally, Thibaut Courtois will likely feature between the sticks, with Andriy Lunin and Kepa Arrizabalaga missing out.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
