Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will look to end the 2022/23 season on a high when they welcome Athletic Club to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any fitness issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are back with the group after missing the game against Sevilla. So Ancelotti has named a full-strength squad ahead of the fixture versus Athletic Club this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Italian tactician spoke about Benzema during his pre-match press conference. Ancelotti also addressed the speculation surrounding the Real Madrid captain. In addition, he discussed the performances of a few other players.
Ancelotti said, “Benzema is ready to play tomorrow, he’s recovered nicely and he has a year left on his contract. The club’s legends should finish their careers at Real Madrid. This is what the fans and the club want. The club, the fans and I think so.”
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“The internet is not reality. I don’t feel comfortable with technology because reality is different. The media is very important for society, but we have to manage this situation well because the new generations will face problems if they don’t know how to use these tools. I agree with Benzema.”
“They have all delivered, they’ve given their all, especially the players who were coming to the end of their contracts, like Ceballos, Modrić, Asensio, Nacho and Kroos. They’ve all performed really well, they’ve been serious the issue with their contracts hasn’t affected them at all.”
The fit-again Benzema should spearhead the attack against Athletic Club on Sunday. And Vinicius Junior will also return to the starting lineup, with Rodrygo Goes completing the numbers. But the game will also feature Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard, and Mariano Diaz off the bench, with the trio leaving Real Madrid this summer.
As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga should return, joining Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde in the trifecta in the middle of the park. So Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Dani Ceballos will be backup options on the bench.
Finally, the defensive unit should see one change, with David Alaba starting as a left-back. So the central defensive partnership should feature Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger. Dani Carvajal will start as the right-back, with Thibaut Courtois taking his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Kroos, Camavinga, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
