Antonio Rudiger will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways and widen the gap at the top of the table when they welcome the high-flying Girona to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Juniors have overcome their fitness issues to make the matchday squad. But Nacho is unavailable due to a knock that will keep him out for a game or two. In addition, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and David Alaba remain long-term absentees.
Carlo Ancelotti provided a fitness update on Rudiger and Vinicius during his pre-match press conference. He also touched upon Nacho’s issue while discussing the possibility of playing Dani Carvajal as a centre-back again.
The Real Madrid boss said, “Rüdiger trained for the first time today and felt good. Tomorrow he’ll have another test, if he feels good he’ll play and if not we can’t risk him. The player’s feeling counts. Let’s see how he reacts tomorrow. Vini Jr. is fine.”
“[Nacho] started individual training today. It’s an overload and he should be fine for Tuesday. I can’t tell you much. Carvajal knows how a centre-back has to play and we work on it in training for as long as we can. In the last few games, on a smaller pitch, Carvajal has always played as a centre-back.”
Carvajal will return to his usual right-back berth, but Ancelotti will install a makeshift centre-back on Saturday. Aurelien Tchouameni will be that man, with the Frenchman serving his suspension last weekend. The former AS Monaco man will accompany Rudiger at the heart of the Real Madrid defence, with Ferland Mendy featuring as the left-back. Andriy Lunin should take his spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Ancelotti will unlikely make any changes, meaning Luka Modric misses out. So, Toni Kroos will sit at the base of the diamond, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga being the box-to-box midfielders. Jude Bellingham will reprise his usual role. Finally, Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz should retain their spots, with Vinicius being an option on the bench.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Diaz
