Eduardo Camavinga will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be desperate to return to winning hopes and keep the fading La Liga title hopes alive when they welcome Athletic Club to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Kylian Mbappe is the latest absentee after picking up an ankle injury earlier this week in the UEFA Champions League game against Arsenal. The Frenchman has joined Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao on the sidelines, with the quartet the only players missing from the matchday squad.
However, Andriy Lunin is fit and available, while Eduardo Camavinga is back after serving a suspension in the game against Arsenal. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti did not provide a fitness update on any player. However, the Italian tactician took out time to thank his troops.
The Real Madrid manager said, “All I want is to thank the players, because I’ve had a great time up to this point, and I want that to continue. We’re still fighting, we have a great relationship and we’re all together. All I want to do today is thank them for giving me the chance to win two Champions League trophies in four years.”
Ancelotti also discussed his objectives for the rest of the 2024/25 season. He said, “The Champions League is the biggest competition, not only for Real Madrid, but for every club. The history of this competition, fortunately, is the most successful part of this club’s history too. It’s not true to say the rest doesn’t mean anything. Fighting for LaLiga, the Copa final and the Club World Cup is important as well.”
Thibaut Courtois will retain his spot between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-4-2 formation in front of him against Athletic Club on Sunday. Federico Valverde should start as the makeshift right-back, joining Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, and Fran Garcia in the backline.
As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga should replace Aurelien Tchouameni, with Dani Ceballos lining up alongside him in the middle of the park. Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham will likely start on the flanks, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior pairing up in the final third.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Brahim Diaz, Camavinga, Ceballos, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
