Zinedine Zidane is restricted to limited options owing to injuries, so Los Blancos may field an unchanged eleven from their last Champions League win.
Real Madrid may field an unchanged starting eleven from the win over Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League last week as they take on bottom-placed Leganes in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Zinedine Zidane will miss Alvaro Odriozola due to suspension after the Spanish right-back was sent off in their 0-1 defeat to RCD Mallorca. Therefore, Dani Carvajal becomes a certain starter at right-back, with Marcelo starting on the opposite flank. At the heart of the Real Madrid defence, Eder Militao can be an option, but Raphael Varane is likely to start alongside Sergio Ramos.
? Here’s our 19-man squad for tomorrow’s #RMLiga clash with @CDLeganes_en! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/guDbimKoZN
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) October 29, 2019
But, there is some good news for Zidane as Ferland Mendy has completed his recovery from a thigh injury and is included in the 19-man squad. However, Nacho and Marco Asensio will not be available, with the latter a long-term absentee to the knee injury he sustained in pre-season.
Meanwhile, Lucas Vazquez, who has been out since the start of October, has made the cut, and the Spaniard is likely to start from the bench. Luka Modric and Isco also add up the midfield options for Zidane, with Modric returning for the first time since the international break.
Any one of the three players in the midfield trio from the last game can be rested considering the opponent. But, taking note of the consequences, it is likely that Casemiro will start alongside Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde, with the former scoring the solitary goal in their 1-0 win over Galatasaray.
James Rodriguez is handed a breather after the Colombian became a father for the second time on Monday. With Gareth Bale also missing out due to a calf strain, the onus will be on Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard to chip in with the goals as Los Blancos look to get back to winnings ways. Meanwhile, Zidane spoke on the Bale situation during his pre-match press conference.
“A lot of things are said and we think that Bale is a player who is here, who puts in a lot of effort and trains well. He’s important for this squad and for the club. When he’s not available, he’s not available because he’s got something and that’s it. There’s a lot of talk and a lot of things said. When he’s ready and 100%, we’ll see. He’s focussed on playing well for the team.”
Hazard will be determined to prove a point against Leganes in front of the home fans at the Bernabeu. Benzema will once again be vested with the duties of finding the back of the net, with the Frenchman being the top scorer for Los Blancos with 6 goals this season in La Liga.
Youngster Rodrygo Goes may also get an opportunity to express himself and his youthful attacking panache and blistering speed may haunt the fragile Leganes defence. Another summer signing, Luka Jovic is set to start the game from the bench and is only expected to make a substitute appearance.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Hazard
