Antonio Rudiger and Luka Modric will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Real Madrid will look to move a step closer to winning the league title when they welcome Sevilla to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Joselu has picked up an ankle injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a few games. The Spanish international has joined Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, Eder Militao, and Jude Bellingham on the sidelines on the sidelines, although Courtois is closing in on his return.
In addition, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga are unavailable as they serve a suspension. But there is some good news, with Ferland Mendy back after missing the previous game due to a ban. In addition, Antonio Rudiger is in the matchday squad after recovering from a thigh injury.
Ancelotti discussed Rudiger’s injury during his pre-match press conference, insisting the German international was in great shape heading into this weekend’s game. He also spoke about Ferland Mendy.
The Real Madrid manager said, “He’s in great shape, he’s recovered fully. He will play from the start tomorrow and it’s nice to have him back. Tchouameni has done a great job in that position but having Antonio back will give us confidence.”
On Mendy, he said, “From a defensive perspective, he’s our best full-back. He manages two-on-one situations brilliantly because he’s got Vinicius in front of him with his incredible attacking ability. Mendy has everything to play at left-back. He has superb defensive quality and he deals fantastically with the overloads we have in that position at times.”
Rudiger and Mendy will return to the starting lineup on Sunday, joining Nacho and Lucas Vazquez, who replaces the suspended Carvajal, in the backline. Andriy Lunin will continue deputising for Courtois between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Ancelotti might hand Luka Modric a rare start, with the veteran Croat accompanying Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Brahim Diaz will sit at the tip of the diamond in Bellingham’s absence. Finally, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo should be the two strikers.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Brahim; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
