Real Madrid host Legia Warsaw on Tuesday night at the Bernabeu stadium in their Champions League group-stage tie
The big news for the Los Blancos is their Colombian midfielder, James Rodriguez is fit and running again after sustaining a calf injury in early October which prevented him from appearing for his National team during the international break as well Real Madrid’s trip to Real Betis.
Speaking to a press conference, manager Zidane said, “He (James) feels good, he is better now. He has no more issues and has recovered physically.”
However, the Madrid-based club will have to do without some key players – captain Sergio Ramos, midfielders Casemiro & Luka Modric and full-back Fabio Coentrao, all out with injuries.
Ramos picked up a knee injury during the international break, which ruled him for at least a month, while Casemiro, whose absence has been deeply felt by the club since his injury, is still nursing his fibula fracture which he sustained against Espanyol in mid-September. Exact timelines for his return aren’t known yet but there reports that say he won’t be able to play again in this calendar year.
The influential Luka Modric was diagnosed with an injury to the articular cartilage in his left knee after Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Dortmund, which is expected to keep him on the sidelines till early November. Fabio Coentrao’s continues his mysterious absence from the team with the nature of his injury not known.
The Portuguese had recovered from a hamstring tear in September, making it in the squad for the trip against BVB but he hasn’t been seen in training in recent weeks.
Considering Legia Warsaw are the weakest team in the group, there is a good chance manager Zidane will look to rotate his playing XI and give some much needed rest to some of his stars, though the manager has warned they aren’t taking the contest lightly, neither are they underestimating their opponents.
After a draw against Borussia Dortmund in their previous Champions League match-day, the defending champions will be looking to make amends this time.
Complete squad list for the game against Legia Warsaw:
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Casilla and Rubén Yáñez.
Defenders: Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo and Danilo.
Midfielders: Kroos, James, Kovacic, Asensio and Isco.
Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Lucas Vázquez and Morata.
