Luka Modric will replace Dani Ceballos in the Real Madrid starting lineup against Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday.
Real Madrid will aim to keep pace with Barcelona when they lock horns with Athletic Club at San Mames on Wednesday evening. And Carlo Ancelotti has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Aurelien Tchouameni is fit and available after recovering from an ankle injury. Ancelotti has picked the French midfielder in the travelling squad, with Jude Bellingham also ready despite picking up a neck issue this past weekend against Getafe.
However, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, and Vinicius Junior remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Ancelotti discussed Tchouameni’s progress. The Italian tactician also spoke about the left-back situation.
The Real Madrid manager said, “He’s doing very well. He’s trained well and recovered nicely. We’ll see tomorrow where I put him. We have to think that players are coming back gradually and that’s enough. He’s been useful defensively, both as a central defender and as a defensive pivot. He’s very important for us. He provides us with height at set pieces because we lost height with him, Militão and Camavinga missing.’
Ancelotti said on the left-back situation, “These are technical decisions. I have every confidence in a player who has helped us win two Champions Leagues. Fran is good in defence and also contributes going forward. He’s made the most of the opportunity I’ve given him.”
Fran Garcia should continue as the left-back, joining Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, and Lucas Vazquez in the Real Madrid backline. Thibaut Courtois is an automatic pick between the sticks, with the away side lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him.
As for the midfield unit, Luka Modric should replace Dani Ceballos, joining Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in the middle of the park. So, Aurelien Tchouameni should be an option on the bench. Finally, the offensive trifecta of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Brahim Diaz should remain unchanged, with Arda Guler missing out.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Modric, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Diaz, Mbappe
