Brahim Diaz will replace the injured Jude Bellingham when Real Madrid take on RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday.
Real Madrid will aim to take a step closer to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals when they lock horns with RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Jude Bellingham is the latest absentee, with the youngster picking up an ankle injury this past weekend against Girona. The Englishman has joined Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba on the sidelines. But there is some good news, as Nacho is fit and part of the travelling squad to take on RB Leipzig.
Ancelotti briefly discussed Bellingham’s injury during his pre-match press conference, not fretting much about his absence. He also spoke about getting players to change their positions, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal playing as makeshift centre-backs against Girona.
The Real Madrid boss said, “We never think of those who aren’t here. It’s fair to think about those who are there. We have to think that Bellingham isn’t here, but we’ve won 4 out of 4 games without him. Those who have replaced him have done very well, like Brahim or Joselu. He’s a very important player, like Courtois and Militão , but I think this has been an opportunity to get more motivated.”
“Convincing the players is very important. When you talk to them you can understand whether or not they want to play in this position. Most of them have told me that they have no problem because they take into account the team’s difficulties and they want to contribute. I’m not going to pick a player who doesn’t like to play in a position.”
“I will never force things, but I will try to convince them. We have other options that I have to take into account. Leipzig are very strong on set pieces and for Brahim this is not his best quality, he’s not a giant. Carvajal as a centre-back has played very well. I have to think about it.”
Carvajal will return to his usual right-back berth, with Nacho pairing up Aurelien Tchouameni at the heart of the defence. Ferland Mendy will complete the numbers at the back, with Andriy Lunin continuing between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Toni Kroos will sit at the base of the diamond, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga joining him in the middle of the park. Brahim Diaz will replace the injured Jude Bellingham, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes being the two attackers.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouameni, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Diaz; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
