Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui is set to recall a number of first-team regulars to the starting lineup when his team takes on Sevilla in the La Liga.
Real Madrid will embark on a trip to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as they gear up to take on Sevilla in their sixth match of the 2018-19 La Liga campaign.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in the league so far and sit second in the table with 13 points from five fixtures (4W,1D). Having beaten Espanyol 1-0 at home this past weekend, Julen Lopetegui’s men will be hoping to extend their strong run at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, where results haven’t gone their way in the recent past.
Spanish international Isco, who had been in fine form this season, will miss out for Los Blancos as he had to undergo a minor surgery for appendicitis.
Speaking of the playmaker in his pre-match press conference, Lopetegui said, “I spoke to the doctors today and he has to receive treatment for appendicitis. I hope it goes well and he has a speedy recovery. They did some tests, he will shortly be going in for his treatment. I hope he comes back quickly and finds this same form”.
Summer signing Thibaut Courtois has started the last two league games for Real and is likely to be retained between the sticks for the trip to Sevilla.
Madrid will go into the game without another key member of the squad, with defender Dani Carvajal set to sit the game out as he continues to recover from an injury. Speaking of the Spaniard, the manager, in his pre-match presser said: “He has been overloaded and has not recovered in the way we expected. We will have to wait, he has been ruled out for tomorrow”.
With Carvajal out, new signing Alvaro Odriozola will continue on the right-side of the back four, while Marcelo, who was rested for the last game, will return at left-back, in place of Nacho. The central defensive duo of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos will not be tinkered with by Lopetegui.
Luka Modric, fresh after being named the world’s Best Player, will start in the middle of the park for the Merengues. Casemiro too, will be retained in the starting XI in the midfield enforcer role, while Toni Kroos will return to the team after being rested against Espanyol, with Dani Ceballos set to make way for the German.
Star attacker Gareth Bale is set to return to the starting setup, after being given time off this past weekend. He will take up the right-flank, while Marco Asensio, who was the match-winner for Madrid against Espanyol, will hold on to his spot on the left wing.
Karim Benzema did not have the best of games last time out, but is likely to pip summer signing Mariano Diaz to the starting spot, owing to his experience and early-season form.
