David Alaba is back and ready to start but Marcelo and Gareth Bale are ruled out as Real Madrid get set to take on Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid will be aiming to kickstart their UEFA Champions League campaign for the season on a strong note when they take on Serie A champions Inter Milan at San Siro on Wednesday night.
Heading into the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti has been handed an injury boost as summer signing David Alaba is back to full fitness and available for selection after missing the weekend clash against Celta Vigo. However, left-backs Marcelo, Ferland Mendy are ruled out with fresh muscle injuries while Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos remain sidelined.
Inter Milan vs Real Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Speaking about the injuries, Ancelotti, in his pre-match presser, said: “Marcelo trained really well yesterday and was named in the squad list. At the end of the training session, he felt a little bit of discomfort. It was nothing major, but it has meant that he hasn’t travelled and isn’t available for the game. Bale had a problem in training session at the Bernabéu and I think he’ll be out for a few days.
“Alaba trained with the team yesterday day and I think that he’s fine and ready to play. We had considered giving Modrić a rest and we’ll see what we do with him.”
There are unlikely to be major changes made to the side that took the field against Celta Vigo at the weekend. Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid, with the rest of the team setting up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez are automatic picks at the heart of the Merengues backline, while Dani Carvajal picks himself at right-back.
With both Marcelo and Mendy missing out, Alaba ought to get the nod at left-back ahead of youngster Miguel Gutierrez, who started at the weekend and impressed.
New signing Eduardo Camavinga made his debut coming on as a substitute against Celta and marked the occasion with a goal. And while Ancelotti alluded towards the possibility of resting Luka Modric, the Croatian is likely to start, given the importance of the game. He will be partnered by Casemiro and Federico Valverde in the middle of the park yet again.
The attacking unit is unlikely to see any changes either, with Eden Hazard slotting in on the right flank while Vinicius Junior, who has been in red-hot form this season, starts on the left. Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema ought to be the man leading the line against Inter Milan.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Nacho, Alaba, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Hazard, Benzema, Vinicius.
