Karim Benzema has been ruled out and should be replaced by Luka Jovic in the lineup when Real Madrid take on Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid will be aiming to seal the top spot in Group D of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League when they play hosts to Inter Milan in their final group fixture on Tuesday.
Heading into the game, Real Madrid have been dealt a major blow as in-form striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the contest due to an injury he picked up over the weekend against Real Sociedad. Along with the Frenchman, the Spanish capital club will also be without midfielder Dani Ceballos and forward Gareth Bale when the Italian champions come visiting.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has not rotated his squad much despite the busy schedule in recent weeks and is unlikely to buck that trend on Tuesday despite a huge derby against Atletico Madrid coming up this weekend in La Liga. “It’s obvious that the priority is today. Today we’re playing the game against Inter and not against Atlético, that will come on Sunday,” the Italian said in his pre-match press conference.
Thibaut Courtois will man the goal as usual for the Spanish capital outfit while Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy slot in as the two full-backs. Eder Militao, who put in a monstrous display against Real Sociedad, drew a lot of praise from the manager ahead of the game.
“He’s more positionally focused. He’s improved a lot tactically. He has top individual qualities, he’s very strong in the air, very strong in one-on-ones and he’s improved the partnership with Alaba and how he plays with the others in defence,” Ancelotti said. The Brazilian ought to start against Inter Milan, pairing up alongside the equally-impressive David Alaba.
Moving into the midfield department, there is no looking past the first-choice trio of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos, even though there may be some concerns of fatigue considering that they have played relentlessly in each of Real Madrid’s recent matches. Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde will offer options from the bench for the home team.
Vinicius Junior is a guaranteed starter on the left flank for Real Madrid. And with Benzema ruled out, Luka Jovic, who scored and assisted a goal each in the win against Sociedad at the weekend, becomes the obvious starter. Finally, Rodrygo Goes, who scored the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture versus Inter Milan, should hold on to his spot ahead of Marco Asensio.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Rodrygo, Jovic, Vinicius.
