Luka Modric and Vinicius Jr. will return, but Karim Benzema will not feature for Real Madrid against Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday.
Real Madrid will aim to continue the recent winning run when they lock horns with Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has rested two pivotal players ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema have not made the travelling squad ahead of the trip to Pamplona. Ancelotti has rested the duo ahead of the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool. But there is some good news, as Vinicius Junior is back after serving his suspension.
In addition, Eden Hazard is back after recovering from his latest fitness trouble. That leaves Ferland Mendy as the only absentee, as he recovers from a hamstring injury. During his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti addressed the team news updates.
The Italian tactician said, “Karim won’t be available tomorrow because he’s fatigued and we want him to recover fully for Tuesday. Kroos hasn’t trained and will be out. Hazard will be back, as will Courtois.”
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Ancelotti then responded to questions specific to Benzema. He said, “Since the World Cup, Karim has done really well. He’s scored in almost every game. He’s contributing but we would rather give him the rest when he’s fatigued to ensure he can stay fit throughout the season.”
With Benzema unavailable, Rodrygo Goes should spearhead the attack against Osasuna. And Vinicius should take his usual spot on the left flank, with Federico Valverde likely moving up the pitch to start on the right wing. So Marco Asensio and Hazard will be options on the bench.
Luka Modric will need to drive Real Madrid forward in Kroos’s absence. So the veteran Croat will return to the starting lineup. Modric should line up alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos in the middle of the park. That means Eduardo Camavinga will drop to the bench.
As for the defensive unit, Antonio Rudiger will likely return to the starting lineup, replacing Nacho. The German international will join Eder Militao at the heart of the defence. And David Alaba should start as the left-back, with Dani Carvajal picking himself on the right flank. Finally, the fit-again Thibaut Courtois should return between the sticks, coming in for Andriy Lunin.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
