With lack of options in attack, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane may opt to start with an unchanged lineup against Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid will have the chance to win Supercopa de Espana when they take on Atletico Madrid in the grand finale on Sunday night. Zinedine Zidane must be satisfied with his team’s performance against Valencia.
Although the Real Madrid manager does not have new injury concerns to contend with, there is a lack of firepower up front. Zidane will look to continue the same way his side ended the semi-final against Valencia and carry that momentum in the final.
?✅ Here’s our squad for the Spanish Super Cup! #RMSuperCopa | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/FSJU31gwwg
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) January 6, 2020
Real Madrid are expected to go unchanged against their city rivals Atletico Madrid. Thibaut Courtois has emerged from his early slumber in Los Blancos‘ colours and now the Belgian has become a mainstay in goal. As for the rest of the team, when asked about the way he will set his team up during his pre-match press conference, Zidane chose to remain coy.
“I’m not going to tell you how we’re going to set up. We know that the important thing is how we perform in attack, not the tactical set-up, which everyone can interpret. We know that we produce some good stuff in the attacking third and the most important thing is the team.”
In defence, captain Sergio Ramos is an undisputed choice, with Raphael Varane partnering him at the heart of the Real Madrid defence. Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are likely to keep their places in the full-back positions.
The match is likely to be decided on the midfield performances and therefore, Zidane is likely to stack up the middle of the park with extra men. Casemiro has been the mainstay of this Real Madrid side and he will add the much-needed bite and also cover the backline. Meanwhile, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde will add their creativity and tenacity.
Luka Modric and Isco are set to play in advanced roles, with Zidane giving them full license to roam around the free spaces and get in behind the opposition defence. Modric, who scored a brilliant goal in the last match, will look to replicate something similar against Atletico Madrid as well.
Former Eintracht Frankfurt star, Luka Jovic, who came to Real Madrid with a huge reputation has not been able to shine for Los Blancos till now, although he got an assist in the last game and created problems for the Valencia defenders. But, in Karim Benzema’s absence, the young Serbian striker is set to continue.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Modric, Isco; Jovic
