Gareth Bale will miss out for Real Madrid while Luka Modric is expected to start in midfield when they take on Levante on Saturday night.
Real Madrid will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the La Liga table when they travel to Ciutat de Valencia this weekend to lock horns with Levante. And manager Zinedine Zidane has a few fresh fitness concerns heading into the fixture.
Gareth Bale had to be sent home from training earlier this week as he suffered from a gastrointestinal disorder. The Welshman hasn’t been able to recover completely and, as a result, has been omitted from the 19-man Real Madrid squad making the trip.
Along with Bale, fellow attacker Luka Jovic also misses out for the same reason. Mariano Diaz and Marco Asensio continue to be out on the sidelines while teenage sensation Rodrygo Goes has once again been omitted from the squad by Zidane.
? Here’s our 19-man squad for tomorrow’s trip to face @LevanteUD! #LevanteRealMadrid | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/kuAsB7saK2
— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) February 21, 2020
Speaking of the Brazilian in his pre-match presser, Zidane said, “He hasn’t been in the squad for the last three games. But we know he’s a crucial player for us and when everyone is fit, I still have to pick a squad. We’re happy but I don’t like to talk about it, because he’s 18 years old and he’s shown how good he is, and that he deserves to be here. It’s difficult.”
Zidane is unlikely to make a whole lot of changes to the team that started against Celta Vigo last weekend, despite the looming UEFA Champions League fixture against Manchester City.
Thibaut Courtois should continue to feature in goal for Real Madrid while Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos pair up at the heart of the defence. Dani Carvajal is a shoo-in at right-back for Los Blancos, but there could be a change on the opposite side, with Ferland Mendy in line to return in place of Marcelo, after sitting out the last game.
Midfield general Casemiro is an integral part of this Real Madrid side and should be a certain starter against Levante this weekend. Toni Kroos, who put in a fine display against Celta Vigo last time out, should also feature from the get-go at Ciutat de Valencia.
Federico Valverde has started all of Real Madrid’s last four matches and could be given a breather here by Zidane. In his stead, veteran midfielder Luka Modric could get the nod against Levante on Saturday night.
Eden Hazard made his long-awaited return from injury against Celta Vigo and made an excellent impression. The Belgian wing wizard ought to feature from kick-off once again on the left flank for Real Madrid, while Karim Benzema will be the man leading the Merengues’ attack on Saturday.
With Gareth Bale ruled out, the slot on the right wing opens up, with Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior and Isco vying for the spot. Isco has been preferred in recent matches by Zidane and is likely to start once again this weekend.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Hazard
