Raphael Varane and Casemiro are set to return while Sergio Ramos will miss out due to suspension when Real Madrid face Getafe on Saturday.
Real Madrid will be hoping to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday evening in their first match of 2020. And, Zinedine Zidane will be without one of his key players ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Sergio Ramos is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season in La Liga last time out against Athletic Bilbao. In the absence of Ramos, Raphael Varane is expected to return to the starting lineup. Varane will partner Eder Militao at the heart of the Real Madrid defence.
?✅ Here’s our first squad list of 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣!#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Tjk6ZRVrHw
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) January 3, 2020
With Marcelo still out injured, Ferland Mendy ought to start as Real Madrid’s left-back once again, while Dani Carvajal will complete the backline, which will provide cover to Thibaut Courtois. Up ahead in midfield, the big news is that Casemiro is available and a part of the travelling squad after serving his own suspension in the previous fixture.
Casemiro will sit at the base of Real Madrid’s three-man midfield against Getafe and will likely replace Luka Modric, with Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos expected to hold on to their spots in the middle of the park.
Attack, though, throws up some interesting options, although one key player remains unavailable, with Eden Hazard still on the sidelines due to an ankle injury. Zidane provided an update on the Belgian winger during his pre-match press conference.
“He’s 100% out of the Spanish Super Cup. He won’t come with us, he’s working on his recovery at the moment. I hope that soon after the Super Cup we can start to see him back with us.”
Isco could be a possible option to start in the final third, a prospect which was discussed by the Real Madrid manager during his presser. Zidane said, “In terms of his position and what he does on the pitch, he’s a key player and he’s showing he wants to play, like everyone else.”
“It’s important that every time they get a chance, the players perform and they are well aware of that. I can relate to Isco because of where he plays and I like the way he sees the game.”
Isco is likely to come into the side in place of Vinicius Junior, starting on the left flank, with Rodrygo Goes retaining his place on the right wing. Karim Benzema will lead the line for Real Madrid against Getafe.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Isco
