The injured Eden Hazard is likely to make way for Vinicius Junior while Nacho should return to the lineup when Real Madrid take on SD Huesca in La Liga.
Real Madrid will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the 2020/21 La Liga when they travel to Estadio El Alcoraz to take on bottom feeders SD Huesca on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead of the game, Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has been dealt with another injury blow as Eden Hazard has succumbed to another muscular issue and will, therefore, be sidelined for a few weeks. He joins the likes of Rodrygo Goes, Sergio Ramos, Lucas Vazquez, Federico Valverde and Dani Carvajal out on the sidelines.
Speaking of the Belgian’s unending injury woes in his pre-match presser, Zidane said, “We want to see Eden without any problems or injury trouble but he’s having a run of bad luck. It’s a very tough situation for him because he wants to show what he’s got and play for Real Madrid. He’s a player who one day, we’ll see back playing well and injury-free.”
Huesca vs Real Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
There is some good news, however, as Nacho has recovered from coronavirus and has been included in the 17-man travelling squad for the game against Huesca. With Eder Militao suspended after his sending off against Levante last time out, Nacho should start alongside Raphael Varane at the heart of the Real Madrid defence on Saturday.
With Carvajal and Vazquez unavailable, Alvaro Odriozola should once again get an opportunity to make an impression at right-back despite his struggles in the last game. Ferland Mendy is the undisputed choice at left-back while Thibaut Courtois continues in the goal for Los Blancos.
Up ahead in midfield, there is no looking past the first-choice trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as there is little room for rotation with Valverde out and Martin Odegaard leaving on loan. Isco, however, is an option for Zidane should he look to change things up.
Moving to the final third of the pitch, Zidane again has little scope for rotation given the number of injuries. With Hazard, Vazquez and Rodrygo all unavailable, Vinicius Junior becomes an automatic starter for Real Madrid, even though he has been going through a bit of a rough patch of late.
“He just has to keep working hard. He knows what he has to do. I don’t have to say anything. He still has a lot to learn, which goes for all the young players. He’s trying hard and we’re going to help him develop as a footballer. My only concern about him and all the players is that they are 100% in the game. That’s all I’m aiming for,” Zidane said about the Brazilian.
Vinicius ought to start on the left flank while Marco Asensio is a certain starter on the right wing. Spearheading the attack for Real Madrid against Huesca will be key man Karim Benzema, with Mariano Diaz an option from the bench.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois; Odriozola, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
