Luka Modric will likely replace Federico Valverde when Real Madrid and Athletic Club face off at San Mames on Sunday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways in La Liga when they lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames on Sunday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has a few pressing injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Eden Hazard is the latest absentee, with the Belgian international picking up an ankle injury. The 32-year-old has joined Dani Carvajal (muscle injury), David Alaba (leg), Lucas Vazquez (ankle), and Aurelien Tchouameni (leg) on the sidelines. But Ancelotti still has a strong travelling squad this weekend.
During his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti spoke about the players sidelined with injuries. In addition, the Italian tactician also addressed the topic of fringe players who have delivered the goods lately for Real Madrid.
Ancelotti said, “We’re close to getting back Alaba, Tchouameni and Carvajal. Hazard has an ankle injury. We’ll get them all back next week. The team’s slowly getting back up to speed and making progress.”
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“This squad is untouchable. There are players who give it everything like Ceballos and Asensio. Kroos and Modric are untouchable. That doesn’t mean they have to play in every game. But these players are making history and will continue to do so at this club.”
“They [Nacho, Ceballos and Asensio] have shown that they can be decisive in matches and then it’s up to the coach to decide whether they should start from the beginning or come on later. I can see that the players are very motivated and they’ve shown it. We have to see what happens. There are players whose contracts are up this year, but they’re motivated. That doesn’t affect anything.”
Nacho should start as the right-back on Sunday, considering Lucas Vazquez and Carvajal are unavailable. Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger pick themselves as the centre-backs in the absence of Alaba. And Ferland Mendy is an automatic selection on the left flank, with Thibaut Courtois featuring in the goal.
As for the midfield unit, Modric should come in for Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan international needs some rest amid the relentless fixture schedule. And Modric should join Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park. So Dani Ceballos will be a backup option.
Finally, the offensive department will unlikely see any changes despite Asensio’s influential display against Villarreal. So Rodrygo Goes will have a chance to impress from the right flank. And the Brazilian international will join Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior in the final third.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
