Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy will return to the starting lineup as Real Madrid look to bounce back to winning ways against Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they take on Celta Vigo after a terrible result in El Clasico before the international break, as Barcelona ran rampant at the Santiago Bernabeau. Carlo Ancelotti’s men were missing a few key stars from that dismal defeat, who could have undoubtedly made a telling difference.
One of them is Karim Benzema, who was out due to a minor injury, as the Frenchman’s absence rendered Real Madrid powerless in front of goal. Having recovered from his problems during the international break, Benzema is back in training and should be selected to lead the line against Celta Vigo.
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Ferland Mendy, who has faced plenty of fitness troubles this season, is also pencilled in to return to action this weekend. The French full-back will also likely come straight back into the starting lineup and replace Nacho on the left flank.
In the past week, Toni Kroos dealt with an illness and will be thoroughly assessed, and Real Madrid will be eager to have him in the lineup. The German playmaker has been included in the matchday squad for the Celta Vigo game, and one should expect the midfielder to take his place in the middle of the park.
Casemiro could take up his usual anchor role, with Kroos and Luka Modric on either side of him. Other players are in contention for a midfield berth, such as Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde, although the duo will miss out. Meanwhile, at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, Eder Militao and David Alaba will be the preferred pairing to marshall backline, with Dani Carvajal the likely candidate at right-back.
Vinicius Junior will be preferred to start from the left side of the Real Madrid attack, with Rodrygo Goes the likely choice to deploy on the right flank. Benzema’s return will certainly boost Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, with the Frenchman set to lead the line for the foreseeable games leading into the business end of the season.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
