Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes are in line to return to the starting XI when Real Madrid take on Sheriff Tiraspol in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid will be aiming to advance to the knockout stages of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with Moldovan giants Sheriff Tiraspol at the Bolshaya Sportivnaya Arena.
Heading up to the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has no fresh injury concerns to deal with. However, Los Blancos will once again be without the services of Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos and Eden Hazard. Speaking in his pre-match presser, the Italian tactician revealed that he did not wish to rotate his troops a great deal for the clash but did hint that Eder Militao and Rodrygo Goes could feature.
“We’re now on a very good run and we haven’t changed things all that much in recent games. Militão and Rodrygo are able to return for this game and they’re fresh, but I don’t intend on rotating the squad for tomorrow’s game,” Ancelotti said.
Militao, who had made way for Nacho Fernandez in the previous game, ought to return at the heart of the Real Madrid backline, where he will partner David Alaba. Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy are the obvious picks in the full-back slots for Los Blancos, while Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter under the woodwork.
In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga would have been hoping for a starting berth. But with qualification for the next round at stake, Ancelotti is expected to stick with his most experienced options in Tiraspol. That would mean that Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric all feature from kickoff on Wednesday night.
Moving into the final third of the pitch, Vinicius Junior, who has been in terrific form this season, is a certain starter for Real Madrid. Ancelotti spoke very highly of the 21-year-old in his presser, saying: “Given the way he plays, I think that he’s the most dangerous player at the moment in world football. Because there aren’t many players out there who do what he does at this point in time. That’s my opinion.”
The Brazilian international ought to take up the left flank against Sheriff Tiraspol while Karim Benzema is guaranteed to feature as the No. 9 for Real Madrid. Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo compete for the final slot in the attacking third. The fit-again Rodrygo could get the nod over the other two for this important fixture.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius.
