Eduardo Camavinga will replace Arda Guler in the Real Madrid starting lineup when they take on Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday.
Real Madrid will be desperate to end a three-match winless run in La Liga when they lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday evening. Xabi Alonso has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Raul Asencio has shrugged off a knock to be available to take on Athletic Club this midweek. However, Ferland Mendy is not in Los Blancos’ travelling squad, with David Alaba and Dean Huijsen also on the sidelines.
Dani Carvajal is a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery a few weeks ago. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Alonso did not provide fitness updates on any players. However, the Spanish tactician discussed two players who have not received a lot of game time this season: Gonzalo Garcia and Rodrygo.
The Real Madrid manager said, “His [Garcia] performance at the Club World Cup was spectacular. He was playing at a high level and scoring goals. Now he’s not getting all the minutes he probably deserves, but Mbappe wasn’t at the World Cup, and he’s also performing spectacularly. Gonzalo is very intelligent, he knows where he is, he knows what’s required of him and he’s always ready. We need him.”
“Trust him [Rodrygo]. Wait, because in football, things can change with one action, with one goal. He has the quality. He’s played in some games, and in others, he hasn’t been able to play more because of the competition we have here. But no one doubts his quality. He has a very good attitude and willingness. He needs that good feeling, a good game or a goal to break out of his moment.”
Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-1-2 formation in front of him against Athletic Club on Wednesday. The backline will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and Alvaro Carreras.
As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga will line up alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde in the middle of the park, with Jude Bellingham reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be the two strikers for the away side. So, Arda Guler, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz, and Franco Mastantuono will be backup options on the bench.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Rudiger, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni; Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
