Toni Kroos and Rodrygo Goes will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against SC Braga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Real Madrid will look to seal a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 when they host SC Braga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Jude Bellingham sustained a knock to his shoulder during the weekend’s La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano. But Ferland Mendy is fit and available after recovering from a minor issue. But Dani Ceballos remains unavailable and out of the matchday squad for the midweek fixture.
In addition, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Aurelien Tchouameni are long-term absentees for Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Ancelotti provided a fitness update on Bellingham during his pre-match press conference, failing to give a definitive answer on his availability.
He said, “I don’t know if he’ll play. He trained today which means he’s comfortable. He has recovered well and felt good in all the movements he made. I’ll evaluate it with him tomorrow.”
Real Madrid vs SC Braga Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Ancelotti might not risk Bellingham, considering Real Madrid’s place in the Round of 16 is all but certain. The Englishman’s exclusion might mean that the home side will line up in a different formation, shifting from the 4-4-2 midfield diamond to a conventional 4-3-3.
The midfield unit should see Toni Kroos making a rare start for Real Madrid, joining Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric in the middle of the park. As for the attack, Federico Valverde will return to his regular position from last season, reprising a role on the right flank.
He will be an auxiliary right-winger while essentially playing as a right-sided midfielder for the home side. Rodrygo Goes will return to the starting lineup, replacing Joselu to start as the central striker. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior might be glad to return to his preferred role on the left flank.
Finally, the defensive unit should remain unchanged, even though Ferland Mendy will be available to take on SC Braga. So, Fran Garcia will retain his spot as the left-back, with Dani Carvajal continuing on the right flank. Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba should be the two central defenders, with Kepa Arrizabalaga taking his place between the sticks.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Kroos, Camavinga, Modric; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
