Rodrygo Goes will replace the injured Karim Benzema in the Real Madrid lineup against RCD Mallorca on Sunday.
Real Madrid will aim to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga when they lock horns with RCD Mallorca at the Iberostar Stadium on Sunday afternoon. And Carlo Ancelotti has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Karim Benzema is on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury he sustained against Valencia this week. The Real Madrid captain will likely return in a couple of weeks. In addition, Eder Militao picked up a groin injury in the same match and will miss the next few games. The duo has joined Ferland Mendy, Lucas Vazquez, and Eden Hazard on the sidelines.
But there is some good news, as David Alaba is in contention to feature after regaining fitness. And during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti spoke about Alaba. He also gave an update on the status of Benzema and Militao.
Ancelotti said, “Alaba is ok. He’s trained and is available. Militao and Benzema are having tests and it’s nothing serious. I don’t think they’ll be available for tomorrow, but they’ll travel with us for the Club World Cup. I don’t know if they’ll be available for the first or second game. They’re both mild injuries.”
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Alaba should return to the starting lineup, taking his place as the left-back in Mendy’s absence. The fit-again Dani Carvajal will start as the right-back, with Nacho and Antonio Rudiger forming the central defensive partnership. Thibaut Courtois picks himself between the sticks.
Ancelotti also spoke about resting veterans like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos adequately. He said, “They can rest, but it’s not for them to rest with another game in mind. The most important match is the one against Mallorca and winning it means everything to us.”
“We will field the best team tomorrow and that could be with them or without them. I’m not resting Modric and Kroos because of the Club World Cup semi-final. Tomorrow’s game is equally important for the World Cup because winning it will give us more confidence.”
Kroos might have earned some rest and will be on the bench after being fit enough to make the travelling squad. But Modric will join the in-form Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park. Eduardo Camavinga will be an option on the bench for Ancelotti.
As for the offensive unit, Rodrygo Goes will replace Benzema as the central striker. Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio will be the automatic picks as the wide attackers. So Federico Valverde will be the only backup offensive option for Ancelotti on Sunday apart from the out-of-favour Mariano Diaz.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba; Ceballos, Tchouameni, Modric; Asensio, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
