Luka Modric will come in for the ill Toni Kroos while Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger could pair up in defence when Real Madrid face Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid will be aiming to make it two wins in two games in the 2022/23 La Liga when they lock horns with Celta Vigo at Estadio de Balaidos on Saturday night.
Leading up to the game, the big news is that Casemiro has left Real Madrid to join Manchester United, leaving a hole in Los Blancos’ midfield department. The reigning La Liga champions will also be without another midfield mainstay in Toni Kroos, who is out with flu, whereas Rodrygo Goes misses out again due to muscle problems.
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
The good news is that Dani Carvajal has returned to the matchday squad after being rested last weekend against UD Almeria. The veteran defender should start from the get-go against Celta Vigo, replacing Lucas Vazquez. Thibaut Courtois is a guaranteed starter in goal, but the rest of the defence could be in for a shuffle.
Eder Militao should return to the side, replacing Nacho Fernandez. Antonio Rudiger, who had a mixed La Liga debut last weekend, should hold on to his place in the starting XI. Should the German international partner Militao at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, David Alaba could start on the left side, at the expense of Ferland Mendy.
Casemiro’s departure means that manager Carlo Ancelotti will need to count on new signing Aurelien Tchouameni to start in the No. 6 role for Real Madrid against Celta. Speaking about the Frenchman in his pre-match presser, the Real Madrid boss said: “He has to learn, get used to it and improve his positioning. He’s powerful in one-on-one situations, very strong in the air, he’s got good feet and gets into the box well.
“I’m not going to ask him to play like Casemiro, because we have to take advantage of his box-to-box qualities. He’s very young and he has to improve but he’s ready to play for Real Madrid.”
With Kroos out with illness, Luka Modric should return to the starting lineup after featuring as a second-half substitute against Almeria in the season-opener. The third slot in the middle of the park should be taken up by teenager Eduardo Camavinga, who will need to show more composure and discipline in his game.
Moving into the attacking third of the pitch, no changes are expected as Real Madrid could go in with the trio of Federico Valverde, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior once again, with Eden Hazard an option from the bench.
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba, Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius.
