Real Madrid will be without Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde, but David Alaba will return when they face Real Sociedad in La Liga this weekend.
Real Madrid will be aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the La Liga standings when they lock horns with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Heading into the game, manager Carlo Ancelotti has been handed a double injury blow as midfielders Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos have been ruled out. “Valverde and Kroos won’t be available for tomorrow,” the manager said in his presser on Friday. “Valverde will have no problem for Wednesday and I don’t think Kroos should either because it’s a small issue that will be resolved quickly.”
Real Madrid vs Real Sociedad Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
But there is some good news for Los Blancos as defender David Alaba has returned to training and will be in the lineup against La Real. “He returned to training with the team on Tuesday,” Ancelotti said about the Austrian international. “He’s fine and he’ll certainly be playing tomorrow.”
Alaba should partner Eder Militao at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, flanked by the full-back duo of Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy. Thibaut Courtois is an undisputed starter in goal for the Spanish capital club.
Kroos and Valverde’s absence in midfield comes as a blow for Real Madrid. It should pave the way for Eduardo Camavinga to get a rare start in the middle of the park on Saturday night. “He’s fine, excited and motivated,” Ancelotti said about the Frenchman in his pre-match presser. “In the centre of midfield he plays differently and can use his energy and quality on the ball. He’s an option for tomorrow.”
He will likely be partnered with Luka Modric and Casemiro, with the latter suspended for the UEFA Champions League contest against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
Ancelotti has his full set of attackers available for selection for Saturday’s visit of Sociedad. However, despite the looming encounter against PSG, the Italian tactician is likely to field his preferred attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior when the Basque outfit come to the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard and Rodrygo will be options on the bench.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Camavinga, Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius.
