Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos will return to the Real Madrid starting lineup against Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday.
Real Madrid will aim to take a step closer to the league title when they lock horns with Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday afternoon. And Carlo Ancelotti does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Jude Bellingham is the only short-term absentee as he finishes up his suspension. Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are closing in on returning to action. But that will not happen until next month. David Alaba is the only other player missing from the travelling squad to take on Osasuna.
Ancelotti spoke about the shape of his squad during his pre-match press conference. He also provided a fitness update on Courtois and Militao. The Real Madrid boss said, “I’m a pretty optimistic guy and we’re in better shape than ever.”
“We have a lead in LaLiga and we’re in the Champions League quarter-finals, with Militão and Courtois on the way back. We’re in the best shape possible. That doesn’t mean we can’t slip up tomorrow, which we may. We have to be excited about the upcoming games. Right now, we should be happy, satisfied and hungry going into our next matches.”
On Courtois and Militao, he said, “They’ve started training with the group again. We’ll take advantage of the break to give them some minutes in a couple of friends with the academy and I think they could be back in contention. Our plan is to have them ready for the game against Bilbao on the 31st, without taking any risks. I think they’ll be there because they’re in good shape.”
With Courtois still unavailable, Andriy Lunin will retain his spot between the sticks, with Real Madrid lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against Osasuna. The backline should feature Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho, and Ferland Mendy.
As for the midfield unit, Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni should return after getting some rest last weekend. So, Luka Modric will make way, dropping to the bench. Federico Valverde should accompany Kroos and Tchouameni in the middle of the park, with Brahim Diaz deputising for Bellingham. Finally, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo should complete the numbers in the attack.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Brahim; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
